EASY + DELICIOUS AVOCADO PIZZA

For all those having a pizza-craving-messy-bun-all-I-want-to-do-is-nothing day:

Let's turn your day into something special by including pizza (and in the meantime, crosssing a few items off your to-do list).  

The next time you're looking for an easy, delicious and healthy meal, go no further than to try this recipe: it's good.  It's yummy.   And for goodness sake - it's PIZZA. (A not-quite-round/modified/simplified/lazy version but pizza nonetheless)

It's this simple: take two slices bread, slap on tomato sauce, herbs, garlic, carrot, mashed sweet potato, spinach, avocado (the best & most delicious element in my opinion), sliced tomato and a pinch of salt and pepper and put it in the oven until it looks crispy and delicious enough to eat.  Perhaps you'd like to include cheese, unless you're plant-based like I am currently :)  

While the pizza is in the oven, pull your hair into a neat bun, slip on a favourite outfit then much on this delicious pizza and turn your day into something special. 

 Hope your week has been running along fabulously.   My week has thus far been far from easy and enjoyable: motivating myself to get work done has been difficult - an incredible amount of self-motivation and utter determination is required to study full time online and run a business.  But at the same time, I love what I do - it's simply a matter of pushing through the thick and the thin just with just as much determination and force as when I'm doing what I love.

Time to switch productivity up a notch and make that pizza I suppose. ;)

What is your go-to easy lunch or dinner?

xxx 

5 STEPS TO A GREAT SMOOTHIE

Continuing my series on 'Fresh Breakfasts' and vegan recipes, today I'll share with you 5 steps to an amazingly delicious and nutritious smoothie plus a favourite smoothie recipe. 

1. Pack in the nutrients.  Packed with iron (kale and spinach), calcium (kale), potassium (bananas), omega-3 (chia seeds), anti-oxidants (berries) and more, this delicious smoothie keeps me energised and refreshed. 

2.  Add natural sweeteners: berries, bananas and raw maple syrup are my favourites.  In most smoothies, natural sweeteners 'cancel out' the taste of spinach and kale!

3. Commonly found is spinach, iron is best absorbed with vitamin C (found oranges, apples, berries, and more).  Pile in greens! Where there is spinach add a little citrus to enhance absorption of the iron.  

4.  Add water or almond milk to loosen the consistency of your smoothie - no yogurt or milk needed.  

5.  Chew your smoothie and top it with nuts, berries, bananas, apple slices or chia seeds to make it more 'chewable'.  For optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients, our food needs to be mixed with the saliva in our mouth and crushed with our teeth. 

And now, the smoothie recipe! 

b l e n d : 

2 cups loosely packed kale and/or spinach

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup berries - frozen or fresh
squeeze of lemon (1-2tsp of lemon juice)
 water - add according to the consistency you want

... feel free to add apples, oranges, or whatever other fruit suit your fancy! 

t o p :

1 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp nuts (I love the soft crunch of walnuts)
berries of your choice - I used blueberries
1/2 of a sliced banana
optional: raw maple syrup

As my dad says, the bright green colour from the spinach and kale makes this smoothie look a little 'too green' but trust me it's gooood.  As in the photos above, I didn't add as much berries as in the original recipe above, hence it looking greener than usual.  Don't be surprised if your smoothie is slightly more red - especially if you add raspberries or strawberries.  Drizzling with maple syrup and adding toppings of my choice, I eat smoothies in a bowl with a spoon because I haven't yet found a cup big enough to fit them (suggestions anyone?!).

Enjoy!

What is your favourite breakfast?

xx

THE BEST SPAGETTI TABOULI

In Genesis 1:29, God gave Adam and Eve "every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit" to be their food.  Our bodies were designed for plant-based foods - that's one of the reasons I've decided to try veganism, a diet without animal products.  I'm excited to announce that for at least one week I will be vegan and will document and share my journey with you!

 I made a big bowl of tabouli on Sunday night and popped it in the refrigerator for the week to come. On Monday I topped my refrigerated tabouli on steaming spaghetti noodles.  Quite possibly the most refreshing and delicious spaghetti I have ever had, Tabolui-topped-spaghetti is a tantalising and fresh spring or summer lunch!   

I followed a delicious recipe from here: 

THE BEST TABOUlI 

2 cups fine bulgar

2 cups boiling water

1 bunch green onion

1 medium onion

1 bunch parsley, stems removed, chopped finely

1 bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped finely

2 large tomatoes, chopped. 

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar (I used freshly squeezed lemon juice instead!)

salt and paper

dash of cayenne pepper (optional) 

Place bulgur in a large mixing bowl. Cover with boiling water and let stand 5 to 10 minutes, then fluff grains with a wooden spoon.

1. Add onions, parsley, mint, and tomatoes to the bulgar and mix.

Add the rest of the ingredients one at a time, mixing well.  Refrigerate and toss before serving. 

NUTRITION: Parsley is an excellent source of iron; the Vitamin C in lemon juice heightens the absorption of iron.  Olive oil is great for your skin and an excellent source of Vitamin E, A, and essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6).

What is your favourite meal? xx