Sesame crusted tofu

Sesame crusted tofu

I have formed a new love with Tofu, i don't know what it is about it but its filling and you can pretty much flavor it however you like. Last night i attempted to try and coat some tofu in sesame seeds, the seeds didn't stick completely but it still tasted delicious, here's the recipe...

What you'll need:
Firm tofu, cut into flat pieces
2 garlic cloves crushed
juice of half a lime
Tamari (low sodium type of soy sauce, but u can use regular soy)
1 packet of sesame seeds
1tsp coconut oil

What to do:
in a container, combine the garlic, lime juice and tamari and add the tofu. allow the tofu to sit in the marinade for at least 20mins for it to absorb the flavors.When your ready to cook, take the sesame seeds and pour onto a plate, take the tofu out and dip into the sesame seeds, covering both sides. in a medium heat non stick pan add the coconut oil and the tofu. Cook for a few mins each side until the seeds are toasted. then if you like you can pour the extra marinade over the tofu while its still cooking for more flavor, its as easy as that!

If you weren't a huge fan of tofu, you could use the same marinade and idea with skinless chicken breast :)

I served mine with some steamed cabbage, broccoli and zucchini and a squeeze of lime, delish!

❤ ❤

Spicy tomato chicken

Spicy tomato chicken

What you'll need:

2 skinless chicken breasts diced
2 large ripe tomatoes, crushed (you can do this using a stick blender or chopping finely)
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 onion diced
1 red chili chopped finely
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
salt and pepper
2 large handfuls of baby spinach
1/2 - 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1 tsp of coconut oil

What to do:

Heat a large frying pan with coconut oil, add the diced chicken, cooking it only for a few mins until its cooked on the outsides, then remove and place aside until later. Then in the same pan, add the onion, garlic and chili and cook until the onion is softened, then return the chicken and juices and add the mushrooms along with the chili powder, paprika, coriander, salt, pepper and cumin and cook for a few minutes. Place in the tomatoes to the mixture and lower the heat to a simmer, stiring through the ingredients until its all combined, let it simmer for 10-15mins, in this time the tomatoes will reduce down to form a thicker sauce. Once the sauce is at a good consistency, add the baby spinach and stir through.


Serve over some steamed broccoli and cabbage, or if you want, you can use pasta or rice...

mmm... i looove broccoli!!

My partner loved this too!... amazing! :p

❤ ❤

Chicken frittata

Chicken frittata

I came home late last night from my gym class and wanted something quick and easy but also healthy and filling. I had leftover chicken and some veg in the fridge that needed to be used up, so i added a few egg whites and wallah! a very tasty frittata!

what I used:
3 egg whites
2 green spring onions or shallots(everyone calls them different things)
chopped broccoli
snow peas
50-100gms of cooked chicken chopped
handfull of baby spinach
1tsp coconut oil
pepper 

With the fillings, you can use what ever veggies or meant you like, mushrooms, grated zucchini, green peas, carrot, capsicum, and if you wanted to you can add a bit of cheese :)

What to do:
Heat up a small non-stick fry pan with the coconut oil to medium heat, then add the spring onions and the chopped chicken, cook for a few minutes until the onions have softened, then add the broccoli and snow peas, cook for another couple of mins, stiring as you go, then pour over the egg whites so it covers the mixture, cover with a lid, turn the heat to low and let it cook for about 5-10 mins or until the egg whites have turned white and cooked.
Once it looks cooked, grab a plate and place the baby spinach in the center, turn/flip the frittata onto the pile of spinach, add a bit of pepper, and there you have my chicken frittata!

❤ ❤

Blueberry, pomegranate and chocolate frappe

Blueberry, pomegranate and chocolate frappe

What you'll need:
1 cup of almond milk (unsweetened is best)
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (i used Myofusion chocolate milk and its awsome!)
1 handful of frozen blueberries (or u can use fresh)
1/2 pomegranate (seeds and juice) 
1 teaspoon of LSA (ground linseed, sunflower seeds, almonds)
1-2 cups of ice

What to do:
combine all the ingredients into a blender or I use a stick blender and combine, add as much ice as you want depending on how icy and thick you like it :)

Really easy and very nutritious way to start the day, you can also use a banana instead of the pomegranate and blueberries, or what ever fruit you like!

❤  ❤

Peanut butter

Peanut Butter Day!!

Two things i cant believe right now!!! the first thing... there's a day dedicated to peanut butter, and the second thing... that i didn't know about it!!! 

January 24th is Peanut butter day!!! 

Your probably thinking whoop-dee-doo, but for me, its my ultimate guilty pleasure! I have it almost every night, eating it out of the jar with my green tea. Its something I look forward to it at the end of the day... i guess you could say its my chocolate substitute (and much healthier for you!)

Just sharing my little collection of peanut butter with you, a connoisseur i would say... :p

What so good about it?

There are so many health benefits and nutrients found in peanut butter and with proper serving sizes (sometimes its a struggle), peanut butter can be a very nutritious part of your diet.
A lot of people think that peanut butter will make you fat and it probably would if you ate the whole jar in one go! but its actually full of the good fats, monounsaturated fats, which lowers the "bad" cholesterol and raises the "good" cholesterol

• Peanut butter contains, a high quality plant protein that is important for energy and building muscles, it also helps to replace worn out cells, repairs damaged tissue, helps boost the immune system and is a major component in vital enzyme. The peanuts used to make peanut butter have more protein than any other kind of legume or nut. 
• Good source of dietary fiber, one tablespoon of peanut butter contains one gram of fiber, which is about 4% of the daily recommended dosage.
•  High in iron and calcium - iron is important  for transporting oxygen in the blood, while calcium is important in promoting healthy, strong bones.
• Peanut butter contains phytochemicals (natural substance found in plants) that help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer.
•  Peanut butter can help reduce the risk of developing gallstones by 25%
• Peanuts have the ability of lowering bad cholesterol and increasing 'good' cholesterol
•  Peanuts contain high levels of niacin, which is linked to the reduction in Alzheimer's disease

To get the full nutritional benefits of peanut butter, the recommended serving is 2Tablespoons per day.

Please make sure that when you are selecting your peanut butter, check the ingredients, the best kind its the natural or organic, the ingredients should read:  

❤ ❤

Chicken and vegetables

simple is often the best

Sometimes (well actually most of the time) i find that the more simple a recipe is the yummier it is....  and so this is probably going to sound a bit strange but my most favorite of favorite meals to eat is chicken and steamed veg with cottage cheese on the side! I find myself craving it! Its so simple and boring yet makes me feel happy :)

I usually get 1 skinless chicken breast and cut it in half of into small pieces (depending on how i feel), coat it in some mixed herbs, paprika, cumin, garlic (pretty much whatever combination you like) and cook in a pan with a dash of cocconut oil.
Then for the veggies, i use broccoli (LOVE!!!), zucchini, carrot, whatever you want, and cut up and place in the microwave. I usually go for 3min30sec as i like it a bit raw and crunchy still and then serve with a dollop of cottage cheese... bliss! :)

❤ ❤

Chocolate Banana Pancake

Chocolate Banana pancake

This recipie is a retake on another recipie that is have previously posted, the banana pancake, but in this one, theres an extra ingredient, chocolate protein power! but u can use cocoa powder or milo or any drinking chocolate :) it tasts like it should be unhealty for breakfast but is not!!

What you'll need:  (makes one big pancake, serves 1)
1 x banana
1x egg
1/2 scoop of protein powder (i used chocolate, but u can use whatever you like)
1tsp coconut oil

Its better to use a non stick pan so its easier to flip!

My naked pancake!!

My 2 essential breakfast items!

What to do:
Place the egg into a blender and whip it until its all combined, then add the banana and mix for 60sec then at the protein powder. (i find whipping the egg first before adding the banana stops the pancake from going rubbery) Once the mixture is all combined pour into a non-sick pan with a little coconut oil. Once the bubbles start to from on the top and the sides are starting to go hard, then flip for a minute or so then turn onto a place and cover with your favorite toppings.

The finished product!

Pomegranates!

Pomegranates....

So i was browsing around in the supermarket (as i like to do, usually trying to decide what i want to eat!) and came across one of these... Pomegranates! I have tried them before but it was a while ago, i remember the seeds being little juicy explosions and that they tasted pretty darn good and they are very good for you! Why not add it to your breakfast! :)


Why are they so darn good for you?
Pomegranates are a superfood!! B vitamins, potassium, and folic acid, they’re a great vegan source of iron,  they are full of antioxidants equal to those in green tea and red wine and loaded up with vitamin C
Pomegranates can also help with:

• Lower Risk of Heart Disease
• Lower Risk of Cancer, Especially Prostate and Breast 
• Lessen Symptoms of Diarrhea
• Reduce Cholesterol
• Control Your Weight
  
• Fight Cell Damage
• Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury
• prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup

^{Natures superfood!} 

 

So after a splattering mess (i think i cut it the wrong way) i managed to scoop all the seeds out.

When i got home from gym this morning all i could think about was my breakfast (as usual! :p) so what an awesome way to start my Monday than with a bowl of yogurt and banana and pomegranate!

What you'll need:
1 banana
250ml greek yogurt (i use Chobani cause its the yummiest)
1 tsp of chia seeds
3-4 spoons of the pomegranate seeds (as much or as little as you like)
1tsp of sunflower seeds
1tsp of Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
handful of blueberries (optional, you can add what ever you want really)

What to do: 
chop up the banana and add all the ingredients to a bowl and enjoy! super easy and quick if your in a rush. (best to de-seed the pomegranate the night before though if your usually rushed in the morning)


Sooo filling and just delicious!! I couldn't think of a better way to start my day! :)


❤ ❤

Chickpea Curry

 Chickpea curry

I have had a tin of chickpeas sitting in my cupboard for ages and ages and i felt like a curry to use up some of my veggies, why not combine them and make a delicious chickpea curry loaded full of fresh vegetables and creamy yogurt! how could i resist!


A bit of information about the little ole' chickpea:
Chickpeas are a very good source of fiber, folic acid, manganese and great source of protein. Vegetarians use chickpeas as their meat substitute.They contain almost twice the amount of protein compared to cereal grains, as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc.

What you'll need:
1x 450gm can salt reduced chickpeas
1 red onion chopped or sliced (which ever you like)
1 tsp garlic or 1 clove
1 red chilli (you can leave out if you don't like it spicy)
As much as you want of the following:
      Broccoli (full head)
      Cabbage
      Carrot (i used 2)
      Zucchini (used 1)
*Note: you can use whatever veggies you like, this is just what i had in the fridge :) 
2-4 teaspoons of curry powder (depending if you like is strong) 
Juice of half a lemon
Coconut oil (any cooking oil will do if you don't have coconut)
Greek/natural yogurt to serve 

What to do:
Drain the canned chickpeas and rinse thoroughly with water and drain, set them aside for later.
Heat a pan with the coconut oil (or other oil), once hot, add the garlic and chilli and cook for a minute or 2, then add the onion and cook until softened.
Add the curry power and cook for a minute before adding all the veggies and lemon juice. Once the veggies are cooking cover and let it steam for a few minutes, check and stir to combine the curry powder over all the veggies. Then once they are nearly ready, (takes 3-5 minutes depending on how u like them cooked, i like mine still crunchy) then add the chickpeas and mix together, leave for another few minutes then its ready to serve! 
All up, to make this recipe it took me 15-20minutes

I served mine with a dollop of Greek yogurt (also helped with the chilli!)  

❤ ❤

Happy veggies

Zucchini and Broccoli fritters

Zucchini and broccoli fritters

Having a quiet night in tonight so i thought i would have a go at making something different. Anything that incorporates my 2 most favorite vegetables in the world (zucchinis and broccoli!!) has to taste yummy! :)


What you'll need: (serves 1-2)

1 large zucchini grated
1 cup of broccoli grated or finely cut
1 egg and 1 egg white
1/2 tsp garlic (or 1 clove)
1 red chilli chopped finely
1/2 onion grated or finely chopped (i used a red onion but a brown onion is fine)
paprika
chili powder (i like it spicy but u can leave this out) 

Yogurt dressing:
4 tablespoons of greek yogurt (i used Chobani yogurt)
juice of half a lemon
1 clove of garlic
chopped fresh chives and mint (thanks to mum and dads veggie garden)

What to do: 
In a bowl, combine the zucchini, broccoli, eggs, garlic, chilli, onion, paprika and chilli power and mix together until well combined.
Heat up a non-stick fry pan with a bit of oil (i used coconut oil), once the pan is hot, spoon some of the mixture into the pan (i made one big one and a small one but you can make little ones) let it cook for about 2-5mins or until u can see that the egg is cooked and the bottom is browned. Then flip them over and cook on the other side for another few minutes until its browned.

Yogurt dressing:
Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, herbs and garlic and mix well. (super easy!!)

Serving suggestion: 
I served the larger fritter with a dollop of yogurt dressing and a a handful of baby spinach :)

❤ ❤

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

I know im a few days late, but time goes too fast these days!!
i went to my parents place for new years dinner and my lovely mum made this yummy dish and i had to show you a picture, its a sweet potato pie with capers for the writing. I just love my mum!

Chocolate and berry yogurt

Chocolate and berry yogurt - MY BREAKFAST!!

Im just going to say it..... Breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day!!! This sounds weird but some nights i scroll through my favorite blogs to look for new creations, i love making new things and mixing it up and so i though i would upload today's breakfast which was soooo yummy and jam packed full of healthy ingredients!!

 

Before

What you'll need:

3 Tablespoons of greek yogurt ( i used chobani, its the best!)
1 scoop of Myofusion chocolate protein powder (you can substitute with cocoa)
1 tsp of chia seeds that have been soaking in a bit of water for 15min
3/4 cup of blueberries
4 chopped strawberries
1 tsp sunflower seeds
1 tsp Pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
2 tsp flaked almonds
dash of water to mix

What to do:
Add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix until its all combined. You might need to add a bit of water if its really thick (protein powder makes it a bit thick)

After!! All gone!!

❤ ❤

Chocolate blueberry ice creams

Chocolate blueberry ice creams

ive been searching high and low for these ice cream holders and i finally found some! its been sooo hot at the moment so i thought i would try an make some yummy ice creams to cool me down! (plus they're super healthy!)

What you'll need:

4 Tablespoons of greek yogurt (i used Chobani)
1 cup of frozen blusberries (you could substitute with any berries, banana, mango, what ever you like)
2 scoops of chocolate protein powder (substitiute with cocoa, or drinking chocolate)
1/2 cup of almond milk (substitute with any sort of milk)
(you can mix around the amounts of the ingredients to what ever tastes and consistency you like, you cant really go wrong with these)

What to do:
Using a blender or stick blender, combine all the ingredients together until they're all combined, then just pour into your ice cream moulds or u could use a container and make one large one and scoop it out as you want. Place in the freezer overnight and enjoy! -i like the ice cream
 sticks though otherwise i would eat the whole thing! :p

❤ ❤