Watermelon is one of the simplest joys in life. It is perfect in every way yet somehow made even better by mint. I love grilled watermelon but seeing as I live in a tiny apartment with no grill... I decided to compromise. I was not disappointed.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Bulletproof Dirty Chai Latte
Remember my Bulletproof Coffee from a few weeks ago? I've been drinking them every day as a breakfast substitute. Since I've been drinking it every day, I felt that I needed a little variety. Dirty chai soy lattes used to be my daily indulgence so I figured that I'd try to make my own version.Take Care of Your Skin
Wanna hear a secret? I'm really, really bad at taking my makeup off before I go to bed. I always forget about it until I get out of the shower the next morning and my face looks like Chris Crocker's in that classic "LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE." video. I was always extremely blessed with nice, resilient skin-- that is, until recently. Call it "old age" or the endless torment of wildly-whipping bone-chilling winter winds; whatever the reason, my skin has been terrible lately. I never really had a "nighttime routine" but I figured that at this point, I had no choice. To Sephora! After about a month of experimenting, I figured out what works for me, hopefully some parts of it will work for you as well! (Oh, and I know that every other blogger includes awkwardly staged "hey I'm not wearing makeup but I actually am" photos illustrating how they apply products to their skin. My readers are smarter than that so I'll save you that little part. Like I need any more face time on here anyway...)
Bulletproof Coffee
I've been trying to get into certain routines and out of others lately. For example, into books and out of Netflix binges. Into working out and out of wasting time on the internet. Part of my new daily routine involves my morning cup of Bulletproof Coffee. It's a delicious way to boost your metabolism and give you hours or energy. It's gotten a pretty bad reputation around these parts because we're living in a world where "saturated fat" is considered a bad word. Guess what? It shouldn't be. Doesn't that make you feel great? I mean, who doesn't like butter?
Lithe Method with Classpass
I've never been one to look forward to breaking a sweat but recently I've been trying to work out (almost) every day. Sometimes while I'm lacing up my sneakers to head to the gym, I barely even recognize myself. Instead of dreading cardio, I look forward to it. Instead of hating myself the day after leg day, I rather enjoy the burn. My life has taken an interesting turn, what can I say? When Classpass contacted me to let me know that they started up in Philly, I was thrilled to welcome them to the City of Brotherly Love. It was kismet! I invited my mom and Danielle to come try out a class with me. We hit up Lithe Method in Center City for some "Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting" and had our butts kicked. (In the best way possible.)
My Keto Life
I haven't eaten bread since last year. No, really. It was some time in late December of 2014. I gave it up for good along with all of my sweet cravings, gluten, soy, and a myriad of other food staples. After guidance from my dad and reading Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter, I decided that I needed to make a change for my mental health. Enter: The Ketogenic Diet.
Two-Years Veganversary
Well, well, well, today marks my two-year "veganversary." Going plant-based has taught me more than I ever could have imagined about nutrition, ethics, and cooking. Yes, it's true. I seriously LOVE cooking now. I hate blogging about it because most of my recipes are just "toss some ______ into _____, eyeball some _______, swish it around in the pan until it seems ______" and to try and follow that would be maddening. I have, however, shared a few of my favorites on here and thought to myself, "I shall make a list!" What a perfect way to celebrate, no? All of these are incredibly easy and sure to please herbivores and carnivores alike. Enjoy!
Weird Snack (This is definitely strange but I have to share it because it's my favorite snack!)
Homemade Flour Tortillas (with Olive Oil!)
xo,
e.m.
What's in my Gym Bag?
I joined a gym late last year. I know... I don't strike you as the gym rat type, do I? I mostly stick to the elliptical because the one time that I attempted to use the weight machines (is that even what they're called?) I was swarmed by stereotypically vapid muscle men who wanted to "help" (read: flirt with) me. Needless to say, I really need a gym buddy. Any takers?
My gym bag isn't the most impressive which is why I'd like to share it with you. You don't need to spend crazy amounts of money to be gym-ready; just invest in a good pair of shoes, some pants that you feel comfortable in, a good sports bra, and tees, which we all have a surplus of. The name of the game here is "whatever motivates you." I love the color pink. I seldom wear it outside of the gym but while I'm working out, it makes me feel cheerful and pretty. I get excited to wear my pink sneakers even when I don't feel like going to the gym. I love walking in with this whimsical tote on my shoulder because it's so colorful and vibrant compared to the usual utilitarian gym bag. It sounds incredibly basic but this "motivation game" actually does work!
*Not pictured: my sports bra. Call me whatever you want, I just feel weird (and a little insecure) putting photos of my bra on the internet. Oh, and I probably didn't have to tell you but it's also pink! I love this one. It's very supportive and they make it in my size, which is an extremely rare find.
xo,
e.m.
Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash with Kale and Quinoa
Ever since the borscht kick of 2012, I've been trying to eat as many beets as possible. They're so good for you and taste like heaven. Earthy and sweet with the perfect texture. I drink beet juice, beet smoothies, eat beet salads... I love the things. Naturally since I've also been roasting anything and everything that can possibly be roasted, I roasted some beets. And added some squash. And then made an entire meal of it. It was great. The kind of meal that tastes great and leaves you feeling ready for the gym. Don't believe me? Try it out yourself.What you'll need: (serves 4)
- 2 large beets
- 1/2 butternut squash
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 4 handfuls of baby kale
- 3 basil leaves
- a few sprigs of cilantro
- rosemary
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 or 3 cloves of garlic
- salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper
You will also need a large pan for the oven, a pot for the quinoa, and a skillet in which to sauté the greens.
First things first: if you didn't grow up in a mostly Italian home like I did, chances are that you don't have "garlic and olive oil" readily available. There are a few ways you can do this: one in the microwave and one on the stovetop. All you have to do is heat up the olive oil with the chopped garlic and add some crushed red pepper to taste. The flavors infuse the oil and it's perfect for cooking. I always have some in a coffee mug on the counter. It makes cooking a lot easier!
Next, start boiling the water for the quinoa and preheat the oven. The oven should be set to 400 degrees. Cut the veggies into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle a bit of garlic and olive oil over them and add salt and pepper. (Don't use all of the oil because we'll be using a lot of it later as well!) Lay rosemary on top and set aside until the oven is ready. When it's done preheating, place the pan in the oven and roast for 40 minutes.
Make the quinoa according to the directions, they're all slightly different. When it has about 5 minutes left to simmer, heat up the skillet for the greens. Drizzle some oil in the pan and add the kale. It cooks quickly so don't take your eyes off of it! You'll know when it's ready because it turns a darker green color and becomes wilted. Add the cilantro and basil and stir around the skillet once more before taking if off of the heat. By this time, the quinoa should be just about ready. Drizzle some garlic and olive oil in the pot, mix, and then remove from heat.
Serve by scooping some quinoa on to the plate, adding the greens, and then topping it off with some veggies. Enjoy!
xo,
e.m.
Roasted Grapefruit
I know that foregoing the pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving seems sort of blasphemous because it's supposed to be the one day a year when you indulge in everything and blah blah blah but if you're like me and doing well on your diet, working out, and losing weight, there's absolutely nothing wrong with finding a healthy alternative. Baked fruit is a favorite of mine. It's an easy way to trick yourself into thinking you're eating something sugary and sweet because it is sugary and sweet but without (most of) the guilt.
What you'll need:
- 1 Grapefruit
- Brown Sugar & Sugar in the Raw
- Any mix of nuts and/or dried fruit you'd like to add.
Preheat the oven to 350. Segment the grapefruit by cutting an asterisk into it and then cutting around the edges. This helps the sugar to distribute evenly while it melts. Sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar and sugar in the raw on the top. When the oven is ready, roast the grapefruit. Cooking times may vary, begin with 20 minutes and check back often. I like the top of mine to be a little burnt. When it seems to be baked to your liking, take it out and sprinkle some nuts on top for a little added protein. I added raw almonds, walnuts and dried blueberries. Serve hot. Yum yum yum!
xo,
e.m.
Hearty Vegan Italian Wedding Soup
It would seem as if soup season is upon us. I think that soup may be what draws me to the cold weather more than anything else. Who doesn't love it? There is a soup for anyone and everyone. This is hopefully the first of many soups I'll be making between now and springtime. One of my weird perpetual cravings is Italian Wedding Soup. (I know, right?) This one is my remedy for that, except it's slightly more hearty. It'll definitely be a staple for me in these upcoming cold months.
What you'll need: (Makes four generous servings)
- 1 Carton of Vegetable Stock
- 1/2lb of Baby Red Potatoes
- 1/4 Onion
- 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
- 3 Large Handfuls of Greens (I used Escarole, Baby Spinach, and Swiss Chard)
- Olive Oil, Salt, Crushed Red Pepper, and Garlic
Begin by pouring the entire carton of vegetable stock along with two cups of water into a pot and boil. Add a dash of salt and rosemary. While the water is boiling, prep the vegetables. Cut the potatoes in half and the onion into small slices. When the water comes to a boil, add the potatoes. Leave the water at a boil. Take 1/4 of the package of vegan sausage patties and roll them into small meatball-like spheres.
While the potatoes are boiling, coat the bottom of a skillet with olive oil. Add the onion, crushed red pepper, and as much or as little garlic as you'd like. (I like a LOT.) Once the oil is heated, sauté the greens. Cooking time for them can vary. Once they are tender, (usually should take no more than 10 minutes) transfer them to the broth and reduce to a simmer. Keep the pot covered for this part. In the same pan, brown the "sausage." Once again, cooking times may vary. Just wait for them to be evenly browned. Once they're brown, add them to the soup as well. Simmer uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Relatively easy to complete, no? Perfect after-church lunch to whip up during a football game on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Could even be a great vegan addition to the Thanksgiving table this year. It's sure to be a hit among herbivores and carnivores alike.
xo,
e.m.
grilled fruit kabobs
Fruit is one of the few things that I can never seem to have enough of, especially in the summer. When my pal Maddie suggested that I try grilling watermelon, my crazy mind tried to think of a million ways to take her suggestion and make it even better. What resulted was nothing short of delicious. This would be an amazing appetizer for an evening party or a family barbecue.
What you'll need: bamboo skewers, 2 mangoes, 1 pineapple, 1/2 of a watermelon (depending on the size) and as much or as little basil as you wish. This was enough for twelve skewers, which fed three people.
Begin by soaking the bamboo skewers in water so that they won't burn when you put them on the grill. This will take about 20 minutes. While the skewers are soaking, prepare the fruit by cutting it into 1"x1" pieces. Place the fruit on the skewers and toss them on the grill. For the best results, set the grill to medium and grill the skewers for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Be sure to check it often though. A good rule of thumb is to just look for the grill lines. (There's probably a proper word for them but I don't know what it is.) As for the basil, I sprinkled a few small pieces on top of the fruit before I put it on the grill and sprinkled a few fresh pieces on top before eating. I love this simple and delicious meal (or side dish) and can't wait to try grilling more fruit, maybe even with some balsamic vinegar drizzled over it? YUM!
xo,
e.m.
breakfast of champions.
I hate to admit this but I'm completely guilty of judging a book by its cover sometimes, especially at the grocery store. If you want me to try your product, bright colors and simple shapes will win me over every time. I'm glad that this box of granola by Dorset Cereals caught my eye because it's my new favorite. (If you're intrigued, check out their website for to see where you can find it.) Even if you can't find it, you can still make this for breakfast: granola, almond milk, half a banana, chia seeds, and a drizzle of honey. It's one of those dishes that you'll feel really good about eating afterwards and not immediately regret it. (You all know what I'm talking about.)
xo,
e.m.
apples, pb, & honey
This is my new favorite breakfast of all time. Everybody knows that apples and peanut butter is a classic combination. BUT, has anybody ever thought of adding a little bit of honey into the mix? Adds a whole new element, plus if you use raw local honey, it'll help you out with your seasonal allergies. In fact, honey is the ONLY thing that helps me with my allergies in the spring. Put simply, taking local honey will get your body used to the local allergens. I'm always looking for new ways to add honey to my diet for this very reason so I'll definitely be sharing more.
xo,
e.m.
p.s. YES, I know that honey isn't "vegan" to most people who identify as vegans. No need to remind me, I already know.
weird snack
Not gonna lie. This snack sounds really weird but it. Is. SO. Good. It's a mix of everything. A little spicy, a little sweet, a tad bit salty and very, VERY delicious. Satisfies every darn craving out there and can be made in a pinch!
Little side note, if wasabi peas aren't a staple in your pantry, head to the store and pick some up PRONTO! They're amazing in salads, in trail mixes, or just plain.
xo,
e.m.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
