Can you see it: Cold Shower

This summer I challenge you to take in EVERYTHING. And not just the obvious things. Go outside expecting and intentionally wanting to experience something new.

I feel like for the past two years I've missed a spark. I have felt such a lack of passion for living. Don't get me wrong. I was not depressed. Not in the least. In fact I was perfectly happy... BUT my days weren't filled with a drive, purpose or excitement that I know I have. My living just seemed lacking. I feel as though I have been waiting for life to happen to me, instead of me happening to life.

But I'm getting it back this summer.

This summer, I am so fortunate that I am travelling to my dream city, NEW YORK! I will be living in New York City for two months. So, I am going to be a New Yorker... for two months at least. And I will use up every single second and hour I have there. I want to take it all in. I will meet the most amazing people AND put myself in places for the greatest opportunities.

I don't want to miss it.
I don't want to miss the beauty that is life.
Hence my series: Can you see it.

This means that from here on, I will do my best to intentionally take in EVERYTHING. I will appreciate the obvious and seek the small amazing but seemingly significant things. I will live beyond myself. I will create my own adventure. I will be open to connect with strangers.

And it is going to be beautiful.

First challenge I set for myself is to take a cold shower. Then after that, write a list of 5 things I will do in New York. Things absolutely outside my comfort zone but things I absolutely have always wanted to do. I got inspired to do this by Jerome Jarre, he is a French entrepreneur and a successful Vine person. Apparently, when taking a cold shower, your body releases serotonin. This hormone helps to keep your mood up. Its a powerful hormone our body releases. That is why after a cold shower, beyond the initial screaming and cussing of the first hit of the liquid ice, you feel invincible. Refreshed. Inspired. 

I will be doing this today.

I challenge you to do it with me too. Take a proper cold shower. Then write down 5 things that you will do this month that lead you outside your comfort zone. If you can't think of 5 things, then write 4 or 3 or 2 or even just 1. The only rule with these goals you set yourself is that must be a maximum of 5 challenges and a minimum of 1, and they must be accomplished in 30 days. Each time you accomplish the challenge you set for yourself, WRITE IT DOWN. document it somewhere. And celebrate your bravery.

What are some of the challenges you are setting yourself this month?
I want to know.

Can you see it?

Xx

Rati

Baked Parsnip Quiche

I live in the Netherlands, so on those wonderful days when the sky is a clear blue and the sun is shinning bright. I cant help but do my best to seize the day. In a funny way the weather also affects the foods I want to eat. I recently tried parsnips for the first time. Its strange that I have gone so long without ever actually really trying this root vegetable. I knew that it existed but I would always walk past it in the grocery store.

This time I saw it in the store and decided to buy one and try it out. I didn't even research on how to cook it. I figured that it looked like a carrot-potato-type-of-vegetable, so I got in there sliced it up and roasted it to make parsnip "fries". When they were still piping hot, I took a bite out of one of them. It was instant love! my taste buds went crazy from how good it was. I ate them all.

I had to go back to the grocery store to buy so more. This amazing vegetable had to be explore. So naturally I experimented a little more with cooking with parsnips.

My first experiment was with quiche. I have a secret love for crust-less quiche. Largely because it is simple to make and mostly because it tastes amazing. It tasted fabulous. The recipe is below.

Serves 2 (or 1 extremely hungry person)- but really its for two

• 1 medium parsnip
• 1 large carrot
• 2 eggs
• 100 grams Quark
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 medium onion sliced
• 2 handfuls baby spinach
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Spices for flavoring
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup grated cheese of choice (optional) - and by optional I mean, you should.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven at 175C/350F.
2. Cut parsnip and carrot into potato fry wedges. 
3. Mix together 1 tbsp olive oil and spices of choice.  
4. Roast in the preheated oven on a baking sheet for 30 minutes  or until golden brown. Half way through the baking time toss the vegetables around. to get them evenly cooked.
5. Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil until softened and fragrant. Then add the spinach and cook until wilted. Place to aside to cool slightly.
6. Mix the eggs, cheese and quark thoroughly in a large bowl. Then fold in the the cooked spinach. 
7. Line the roasted parsnips and carrots on the base of a baking dish. 
8. Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish and spread it over the roasted vegetables evenly.
9. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve this with a tasty salad or soup.

Enjoy!

Let me know how you like this recipe when you try it.

Xx

Rati

p.s. Next week I'll be posting up a recipe of a more indulgent quiche... Spinach-Mushroom-Goat-Cheese Quiche. Mmmmh :)!!!

Sweet Potato Pancakes

I love me some sweet potatoes! They are seriously scrumptious! I love them baked, roasted, twice baked and also most recently as a pancake. Yes, you read correctly, in pancake form! There are some days when I  want a simple filling brunch and these just do it for me. the best part is they can either be eaten sweet or savory. I personally prefer them savory, with a side of vegges, Sriracha hot sauce and yummy gravy. 

This recipe is so easy. It really is fool proof. You can't mess up. It so easy that there really are only two main ingredients. But of course to give the pancakes an extra kick I add a couple of spices.

Yeilds 4 pancakes

What you will need:

• 100g baked sweet potato
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• a pinch of salt

What to do:

1. Bake the sweet potato. To do this, poke the sweet potato all over with a fork. Wrap it up in foil. and leave it n the oven at 200C/400F for about 50 minutes or until cooked through. A knife should easily pierce the potato all the way through.
2. Once the potato is cool, peel the skin off and mash it with a fork in a bowl until smooth. 
3. Mix in two eggs.
4. Add the spice and salt.
5. On a lightly oiled/buttered pan, place a quarter of the batter. Cook on medium heat until golden brown then flip it over to cook the other side.
6. Serve whilst hot ;).

Although I love this dish savory, it is equally as delicious sweet. For a sweet version I would serve it with strawberries and blueberries and smother the pancakes with maple syrup. So yummy :D :)

I hope you enjoy this recipe and experiment with serving it either sweet or savory.

Xx

Rati

Irish Oat Soda Bread

I know that St. Patrick's Day has come and gone but, for some reason, I was just really really REALLY craving for a slice of freshly baked Irish Soda bread and some hot soup. The whole day yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about it. To add to my craving's anguish, I watched countless videos on Irish Soda bread and read far too many recipe blogs on it. This definitely did not help to subdue my cravings. In fact, I might have even had a dream about eating this bread.

Unfortunately, in The Netherlands, finding baking soda is not easy. For some reason it is just not sold in the main shopping centers. But my cravings were strong and my resolve to find baking soda became even stronger. So I woke up this morning with the intention to look high and low all over my town to find baking soda.

By some luck, I found this "glorious" powder in a small Turkish store not too far from my house. I was so happy to find it, I almost hugged the shop stewardess in joy. haha! I couldn't wait to get home and start baking. Lunch was going to be a nice hot vegetable soup with a slice... or two, of fresh warm Irish Soda Bread... mmmh!!

On my way home I stopped by the store to get some of the baking supplies I needed, then I took a short walk around my neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful warm spring weather and catch a bit of sun. By the time I got home it was way past noon and I was feeling really hungry and ready to start baking.

I had long decided I wanted a non-traditional Oatmeal Soda Bread with raisins and orange zest. I knew I wanted to use orange zest and raisins because they give the bread a wonderfully light and interesting flavor. The bread also has a subtle sweetness that allows it to be versatile to be used with tea, soup or just for the simple pleasure of eating fresh bread with butter and jam.

This recipe is a combination of inspirations mostly gathered from Laura Vitale's rendition of Irish Soda Bread  as well as Elise Bauer's Oatmeal Soda Bread on Simply Recipes.

Yields 9-10 slices
What you will need:

• 1 cup Rolled Oats 
• 1.5 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tspn Salt
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1 Egg
• 2 tbsp Honey (or Sugar)
• 1 tbsp Orange Zest
• 3/4 cup buttermilk*

*If you do not have buttermilk you can make it by mixing 1 cup of milk at room temperature with 1 tbsp of lemon. Leave it for at least 5 minutes. Your buttermilk is ready to use ;)

What to do:

1. Preheat the oven at 230°C/450°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Grind your rolled oats finely using a food processor or blender.
3. Mix the the ground oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
4. Using your hands or a mixer, mix the butter with the dry ingredients.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, egg, honey and orange zest.
6. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix together. You may need to add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky. (NOTE: Soda bread is supposed to have somewhat a sticky consistency so do not add too much flour).
7. Fold the raisins into the mixture.
8. On a floured surface very lightly knead the dough together into a round ball.
9. Cut an inch deep cross on the bread
10. Place the on the baking tray and bake at 230°C/450°F for 15 minutes.
11. Reduce the heat to 205°C/400°F and bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when you tap it.
12. Let it cool on a rack and then dig in.

MMmmhh! Do you smell that yummy goodness! This bread has an amazing aroma and it tastes so good on its own. Or with some butter. Or jam. It is also perfect with soup.(That's how I had it). 

Fresh bread is the best! AND the whole process can be done in an approximately an hour.

I absolutely loved the orange zest addition. My Irish Soda Bread cravings were definitely satisfied :D!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Leave some comments below and let me know what you think.

What have you found yourself craving for lately?

Xx

Rati

Cauliflower Bread Buns

Lately I have really fallen in love with CAULIFLOWER! Which is so funny because I used to hate it so much. There was something about its look and taste that just made me feel and think YUCK! But what is even funnier is that I absolutely love broccoli. It always confused me how I could love one and hate the other of two very similar looking vegetables.

Somehow I got past my disgust and decided to explore cooking with the vegetable. I firmly believe every fruit and vegetable tastes good if you prepare it the right way. The past few weeks I began exploring different recipes with cauliflower. I found that my two most favorite so far have been Cauliflower Bread Buns and Cauliflower rice. MMmmmh, just talking about this is making me so hungry! I got the inspiration for the cauliflower bread buns recipe from Live Right, Be Healthy. You should check out her blog, she has some really good recipes.

As with most of my recipes, this is really simple and easy to make. The most "annoying" part would be the grating of the cauliflower. But after that its all super easy.

Yields 6 Bread Buns
What you will need:

• 1/2 Large Cauliflower Head
• 3 tbsp Rolled Oats
• 1 tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
• 2 eggs
• 1-2 Garlic Cloves
• 1 tsp dry parsley
• 1 tsp dry basil
• Pinch of Salt and Pepper
• 1 tbsp Pumpkin Seeds (Optional)
• 2-3 tbsp goat cheese/mozzarella (cut or grated) (Optional)

For Golden brown touch:

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven at 200°C/400°F.
2. Grate the cauliflower. Use only the florets of the cauliflower and not too much of the stalk. You can grate using either a grater, food processor, or bit by bit with a blender.
3. Combine the grated Cauliflower with all the ingredients. Mix it well.
4. Line your baking tray with parchment paper and very very lightly grease it.
5. Form 6 beautiful flat rounds of the mix on the prepared baking tray. And Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until your buns look like they are not full of moisture.
6. Whilst in the oven. Mix together the 1 egg and tablespoon of olive oil.
7. When you buns are baked to the point were they are not full of moisture; Brush the egg and olive oil mixture on top and bake for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.
8. When your buns are ready. Remove them from the baking tray and allow them to cool on a cooling rack. This step is very important so that they don't get mushy.

You can store these in the fridge for several days or cook a large batch and store in the freezer.

I like to use these Bread Buns as a side with my salad, soup, or for my veggie burgers. It's so so yummy! I hope you enjoy it. Its a nice healthy alternative to bread just to mix things up sometimes ;).

Let me know how you like it :)

Also if you have Instagram, follow me @SomekindofConcoction

And if you like this recipe comment and share it to let me know ;).

Thank you!

Xx

Rati

No Gym, No Problem: Part 2

How was Week 1 of "No Gym, No Problem"? Did you manage to keep up and workout three times a week? How do you feel?

I hope you've been keeping up. This whole process of becoming more active takes your effort, your dedication and your determination. You have to want this for yourself. You have to want it more than just having a great body. You have to want this for yourself. Working out is the one thing you can do for yourself that can be entirely just for you. But YOU have to do it! No excuse is good enough to allow yourself by not taking care of yourself.

This week, I challenge you to evaluate your life and see what things you have given a high value. The things you value the most are the things you make time for. Nobody ever has time. YOU MAKE time! I am going to challenge myself this week by budgeting my time. I will use sticky notes and record how I use each waking hour. I will literally log my time. Each sticky note will represent a high currency of an hour. My budget is the hours I am awake. At the end of the week, I will look back on my time log and see what things I am giving great value. I will review how well my budget is. This will give me the platform to make re-evaluate and reorganize my life so that I can get the maximum value out of every second. This week, time is money.

Here's the workout for this week:

DO THIS AT LEAST 3 TIMES THIS WEEK. 

Record your time each session.

Here are  video links on how to perform each exercise:

• Burpee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLTo-V6RgiE
• Mountain Climbers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyeZM-_VnRc
• Ab crunch and twist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lEKIInCo2o
• 20 high knees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZZoCNMU48U
• Oblique crunch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0be5avh6gO8

This a Cardio Blaster. It is simple and effective. Give it your maximum effort. The more effort you put, the more you burn.

If you want an added challenge. After the circuit go out for a fast 12 minute run/walk. Record your distance and time.

Let me know how it goes.

Any questions?
Feel free to ask :)

Goodluck!

Xx

Rati

No Gym, No Problem: Part 1

So when you hear the word "exercise" what is the first thing that pops in your head? Torture? discomfort? Sweat? Fear? Happiness? or do you simply cringe and shove the thought of exercise some where far, far away in the depths of your mind? 

It is interesting when I look at how some people extremely love exercising and the simple thought of breaking a sweat makes them smile uncontrollably. Whilst on the opposite side of the spectrum, the thought of exercise makes them feel immediately self-conscious, fearful and uncomfortable for a many reasons.

Exercise is absolutely beneficial for you. I know that most of the time, people associate exercise with an intention of losing weight. And although a lot of people do use exercise for weight-loss  and general improvement of their physique; the benefits and necessity of exercise are far beyond those basic reasons.

Your body is designed to move. You do not have to be a top class athlete. Just move. There are a million benefits for purposely including exercise as an integral part of your lifestyle.

The greatest thing about exercising is that you only need your body and a set of comfortable clothes and shoes and you are set. 

No you do not need a gym membership.

No you do not need fancy equipment.
No, you do not need to have fancy workout clothes.
No you do not need to look like a top model to start.

No, you do not wait until you feel like it.

Although all these things are nice if we had them available, we do not need them to have a great workout.

So to make exercise easy on all of you and to show you how easy it is to slot it in, I will start the "No Gym, No Problem" Fitness Series. In these series, I will post workouts and fitness tips.

Note that this is not about weight-loss but about good health. If you lose a couple of pounds exercising then that's great. If not, then its still great. You are doing your body right by keeping it well.

Below is the very first, workout of the No Gym, No Problem series.

You do not need weights or any fancy equipment.

Just you and your willingness to move.
You can start today. Yes, right now.
Go change into your workout clothes. Put on awesome music and MOVE!
This workout will get you sweating, but feeling good.
It works your whole body, from your legs, bottom, abs and good old cardio.

TIP 1: Do it as fast as you can with maximum effort for the greatest results.

TIP 2: Do it at your own pace. If you can only manage one set. Then do one set and go for the run. Then work on slowly building it up to doing all the sets.

I CHALLENGE YOU: Do this workout three times in the next seven days. If you don't have time to do it all at one go, then break it up into two workouts. One half in the morning and another half in the evening. Measure the time of your 4 sets and note the distance you cover in 12 minutes each time. 

Good Luck!

I want to hear your updates.

The next challenge will be up next week Wednesday.

Xx

Rati

Egg Muffin

This past week the weather has been so fantastic. The sun was out. I didn't  have to wear my heavy winter jacket and spring is approaching, so I can see the trees and plants starting to slowly bloom. It's wonderful! I love this time of year and the little glimpses of the sun I get. I was speaking to a friend and she described it perfectly, as a sort of promise from the sun that the winter is not forever.

This absolutely wonderful weather inspired me to make something light, flavorful and filling. Which resulted in the creation of these amazing Egg Muffins. They are like little quiches, and they are perfect to eat both hot or cold.

Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of my most favorite healthy super-foods. It is so diverse when it comes to baking and cooking with it. As a college student, Baked-Oatmeal is a gift. I get so busy as soon as Monday comes around. The week just flashes by and before I know it, it's Friday. So to keep myself eating healthy throughout the week, I plan out the week's grocery shopping and I roughly plan out my eating plan during the weekend. (Well, at least I try to most of the time.)  That is why Baked-Oatmeal is an ideal recipe for a tasty, healthy, whole and quick breakfast for the mornings. I personally cook it on Sunday evenings and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container. Throughout the week, some mornings I take a serving,

(or two when I am really hungry), or I pack it up to eat later in the morning.

This recipe is really diverse. You can get creative and add different kinds of fresh fruits ,nuts and dried fruits that you desire. One of the best things about this recipe is that it is sugar-free and wheat-free but still so satisfying.

Ingredients:

Yields 6 Servings

• 1 ripe Banana 
• 1 Apple
• 2 Cups Oatmeal
• 1/3 Cup Mixed Nuts and Raisins
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/3 Cup Honey (Add more or less depending on your desired sweetness)
• 3 tbsp Butter
• 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
•  1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Egg
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 Cups Water

Instruction:

1. Preheat Oven at 180C or 375F.
2. Grease a deep baking dish. (My dish is an 8 inch square dish).
3. Mix the oatmeal, sea salt, 1/2 the cinnamon and baking powder in a bowl.
4. In a separate bowl whisk together the melted butter, honey, water, egg and vanilla extract.
5. Slice the banana and apple. Line the bottom of the greased dish with first the banana, then the apple on top. If your dish is larger, use more bananas or apples needed to properly line the dish.
6. Sprinkle the other half of the cinnamon on top of the layer banana and apple base.
7. Pour the mixed dry ingredients over the banana and apple base. Use a fork to properly distribute the oat mixture in the dish.
8. Pour the wet mixture over the oats in the dish. Use a folk to properly distribute the liquid in the dish.
9. Sprinkle the rest of the nut and raisin mixture over the top
10. Place the disk in the oven for about 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
11. Let it cool down for 5 minutes, then serve!

Before:

After:

I hope you enjoy this Baked Oatmeal recipe as much as I do. I had a serving this morning with a cappuccino, a banana and an apple for breakfast. It was so delicious :D.

How do you eat your Baked Oatmeal?

Let me know how you it was for you.


Xx

Rati

Chickpea Veggie Burger

Lately I've been craving a BIG, TASTY and YUMMY burger! But I do not like eating fast food burgers. Or fast food in general. I remember about two years ago I ate a McDonald's chicken burger. The burger, I must admit, tasted pretty amazing. Then after I was done eating, I flipped over the food tray sheet to see the calorie information and I saw that the one burger I had eaten was over 800 calories!!! AAAHH! I was kind of disgusted. So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the veggie burger. Firstly because I really do love beans and vegetables, its filled with lots of healthy nutrients and secondly because it really just TASTES. SO. GOOD!* 

I have shared the recipe of the Black Bean Veggie Burger Patty on a previous post. You can find the recipe by clicking here. The changes I made were that I used Chickpeas instead of Black Beans and I also baked the burger patty instead of frying it. 

Here is the recipe for the rest of the burger:

Sushi Madness!

I love Sushi! I could eat it all day, EVERYDAY!. Making Sushi Maki is surprisingly easy. I remember the first time I made it at a friend's house about two years ago. It was so fun making the Maki roll from scratch and adding the kinds of fillings I wanted. It is a perfect way to spend time with friends or family. It is also an easy way to make something special for your special someone.

Usually Sushi Maki is made by using white rice as a base. At certain restaurants, I know it is possible to request your Maki with brown rice. I decided to give my Maki a new and healthy twist. I very rarely eat rice, so I wanted to find a way to make yummy Maki without using rice. I tried my luck with different kinds of bases in place of rice and on my first try I found that hummus was such a good base for a yummy and filling vegetable sushi Maki.

YUM! Just look at how delicious that looks!!!

 And trust me it tasted just as good. Its really very simple, easy and quick to make. The 3 key things to everything I make ;)

Equipment:

• Blender
• Spoon
• Sushi mat
• Knife

Hummus Ingredients:

• 1 can Chickpeas
• 1/2 teaspoon  Red Pepper
• 1/2 -  1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 - 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
• A pinch of Sea Salt
• Juice of half a medium Lime/Lemon
• 1 teaspoon Parsley
• 1 Garlic Clove (optional, for the Sushi Maki I prefer my humus without the garlic)
• Water or Juice of humus (add as much as needed for the desired consistency. I find for the Maki base, the thicker the mixture the better.)

Sushi Maki Ingredients:

• Sushi Seaweed sheets (4)
• 2 medium carrots thinly sliced horizontally
• 3 celery stalks thinly sliced horizontally
• 1 big red pepper medium sliced horizontally
• Lettuce/Spinach/Kale
• 1/2 a medium avocado thinly sliced horizontally

Instructions:

1. Place all the Hummus Ingredients in the blender. Let the blender run until all the ingredients are mixed together. You want to have a lumpy and thick hummus consistency. Do not let it get too thin or too smooth.
2. Place a seaweed sheet on the Sushi Mat. Using the spoon, spread about two heaped tablespoons of the hummus on to the seaweed sheets. Make sure you spread it all the way to the edges. This is so that when you roll up the Maki it will stick and close properly.
3. Add the thinly sliced vegetables on to the hummus spread. Make sure you are placing the vegetables horizontal to the way in which you will roll up the Maki.
4. Add the lettuce/Spinach/kale on top of the sliced vegetables.
5. Roll up the Maki using the Sushi Mat.
6. Slice the Maki roll into sizable pieces.
7. Grab some chopsticks and enjoy this healthy yumminess!

Have fun with this. Experiment with different kinds of vegetable fillings. You can use this as part of a healthy lunch with some Zucchini noodles on the side (new recipe for this coming soon!).

Let me know what you think :)

Xx

Rati

For the Runners.

I know I need this encouragement when I run. Especially yesterday.

Training yesterday was overall good but it started off with me feeling so HORRIBLE. I wanted to just quit and sit it out. My body was feeling stiff. My legs felt like they were not responding and moving naturally. I just wanted to stop, give up and sit it out. But I kept on going. Eventually my body realized I wasn't stopping, I pushed through and by the end of the training session I felt brilliant.

Running is a mental battle. Yes your physical fitness and training play an important role in your runs. But to move from being a good runner to becoming a great runner your mental strength is what takes you there. Our bodies are far more capable than we think. When we take the time and effort to push our selves mentally, we begin to see ourselves accomplishing things we only dreamed off.

Do not always rely on how you feel. Feelings are fickle and can often be deceptive and limiting. Instead, look at your goals and keep going towards them; whether you feel like it or not. Develop the mental discipline to push through and be what you want to be. Of course it is important for you to use wisdom so that you make sure you are not pushing yourself to the extent of bringing harm to yourself.

Train hard.
Work smart.
Give it your all.

Enjoy it.

I wish you an amazing training week.

Xx

Rati :)

Spicy Zucchini "Pasta"

This is such yummy goodness, I cannot even fully describe or explain how good it is. The best part is... it is so EASY and QUICK to make. I had it last night for dinner and my taste-buds and tummy were thanking me.  

Zucchini is usually one of my vegetable staples, so I thought, "Why not make some Zucchini pasta!".
And I did.
And it was epic.

The thing that really makes this recipe so great is the sauce that you mix it with. I was feeling creative so I just experimented with the ingredients and spices that I had at home and it turned out quite fantastic.

So without any further delay, here is the recipe:

Equipment:

• Blender
• Vegetable Spiralizer (I got mine quite cheap on ebay. The one I use is a small hand held tool. You can buy it here.)
•  Knife and Cutting Board

Ingredients for "Pasta":

• 2-3 medium zucchinis
• 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 can of garbanzo beans (or 1/2 cup cooked garbanzo beans)
• 3 chopped long stalks of celery

Ingredients in the Sauce:

• 1 small red beet
• 1/2 large persimmon (or 1 medium peach)
•  Chili peppers (put as much as you want for the spiciness you desire) 
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (or curry)
• 250 grams of ripe cherry tomatoes (or 1 medium ripe tomato)
• 4 juicy dates (optional. Also note that if the dates you have are a bit dry, soak them in water for some time to soften them)
• 1/4 cup of water. (Eye the amount of water according to the blender contents. Add or decrease the amount of water to ensure a good thick saucy consistency)
• 1/2 red onion (or normal onion)
• 1 - 2 garlic cloves

Recipe for "Pasta:

1. Spiralize the zucchinis
2. Mix in the chopped vegetables and set the plate/bowl aside

Recipe for Sauce:

1. Chop the red beet and persimmon.
2. Place all the sauce ingredients into the blender.
3. Blend all the ingredients together. remember to start out with a bit of water and keep adding until you reach the desired thick, saucy consistency.
4. Pour the sauce all over your pasta.
5. Mix it all together and leave it for about 10-15 minutes for all the flavors to mix and the zucchini to soften a bit.
6. Eat it all up

Serves: 1 person

Trust me, this pasta is really so yummy. It is a great way to replace actual pasta. The ingredients are almost all raw. Due to the fact that we use mostly natural foods, you will find that you can eat a whole big bowl of "pasta" and feel full and satisfied without the guilt of eating actual pasta. 

This meal is great for both dinner and lunch.

I will definitely be experimenting with different kinds of sauces for the Zucchini Pasta and I will share with you the yummy concoctions I come up with.

I hope the new year has started up great for all of you.

Enjoy.

Xx

Rati :)

Half-Marathon Training: Any Idiot Can Run

I must say that, that is a very beautiful quote. I think, to a lot of people, running a half-marathon,or even running at all when there is nothing chasing you, is simply an idiot's idea of... FUN?!! I tell people I am training and some say: "Awesome!" and they really mean it, whilst others say: "Uhm... awesome?... Why? Is it for a cause?"

And though it is nice for those who have the opportunity to run for a cause, however, for me, I run because I like it. No, wait, correction... I run because I LOVE IT!

There is really no way to explain the joy and exhilaration that comes from running. You fall in love with the rhythm of your feet.
The sound of your breathing.
The movement.
The release.

Its an amazing feeling.

Sometimes the runs hurt and take more effort.
Other times the runs are all a beautiful experience.
But all the time, at the end of a run, I always feel a wonderful sense of release, happiness, confidence and accomplishment.

Yes, to me, running is fun!

I run in the rain. I run in the snow. I push through the wind and sweat it out in the scorching sun.

Of course if you are a new runner... your runs, at first, may feel more like a session of torture. But as you build your endurance and find your stride, running sessions become a strange and beautiful kind of pleasure.

So, I signed p to run the Den Hague ABN AMRO Half-Marathon on the 10th of March 2012. I am currently in week 3 of official training and its going real great.

Week1 and Week 2 were really good. They are all distances I am comfortable with running but, I think from week4, the long run distances will become a bit more of a challenge. In week 1, the run was supposed to be 4.4miles. But, well, i didn't "empty the tank" before heading out and I was feeling horrible by the first mile, I had to turn back. *Blush*

Note-To-Self: ALWAYS empty the tank before a run.

haha!

oh and also I ran my fastest km of 5:50 on thursday. YAY!

I hope everyone is doing great and that you are enjoying 2013 so far.
I definitely am :).

Below you can see my training schedule from week 1 and week 2.

61 MORE DAYS!!

Have a great start of the week.

Xx

Rati

Persimmon Lover

I just got a box yummy PERSIMMONS!!! Since the large part of what I eat constitutes of fruits and vegetables, I try to buy in bulk when I can. It is cheaper and it cuts down my trips to the grocery store.

I recently discovered a new fruit and vegetable market which happens every Saturday in my city. I am excited to go and see all the fresh fruits and veggies I can get at lower prices than at the store.

I hope you have all had an incredible 2012. Mine was definitely filled with so much adventure, the building and breaking of some dear friendships and incredible growth as a person.

I wish you all an amazing 2013. May it be filled with so much more joy, adventure, peace, laughter and love. May it be the best year of your life yet.

Enjoy the New Year celebrations.
Please be safe.

Many hugs and much love.

See you next year ;)

Xx

Rati

Beetroot Juice!

This juice is simply AMAZING! I enjoy it so much. Especially in the summer time, it is so refreshing, filling, and of course, extremely tasty. In the winter time, I enjoy it just as much.

Right now, I cannot stop making it. I could literally drink it all day. I got the inspiration for this recipe from Kristina Carillo-Bucaram. You can check her out on www.RawfullyOrganic.com. She also has some great raw recipes that she shares on her youtube channel.

The thing I love the most about this juice is the natural sweetness from the beets and the kick from the ginger.

So here's the recipe. I hope you enjoy it :)

Ingredients:

• 3 red beets
• 1 thumbnail size of ginger or 1 tablespoon of ginger powder
• 1 carrot
• 1 tomato
• 1 small apple
• 1 or 2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 tbsp blueberries

Instructions:

1. Chop all the ingredients and place in the blender.
2.  Pour in a cup of water or more depending on your desired consistency for the juice.
3. Blend it all together.
4. Drink up!

Its so quick. So easy. So healthy.

Enjoy the yummy goodness of this juice.

Xx

Rati

Fitness: Early Morning Inspirations

A few weeks ago I went for an early morning run. It was a day after it had snowed quite a lot and it was just so beautiful out. It was still dark, but I absolutely love running when its still dark.

The streets are empty.
The road is yours.
Its just you.

So, of course,  the run was great! I went for about an hour. I ran about 9km/5.5m at a nice easy pace. I just felt so good. Then it got me thinking, "I think I am about ready to start training and running for a half-marathon". And so that's what I did... I am officially registered to run The Hague, ABN AMRO Half-Marathon on March 10, 2013.

SOOOO EXCITED!
and nervous.
but more excited!

It has always been a dream of mine to run a marathon, but it has always felt so far off and too hard. So I just set the dream aside. Then in December of 2011, I decided to a set small goal and I signed up to run my first 10km race on the 18th of March of 2012 at the Limassol Marathon. I was as excited as I am now about the half-marathon, but I was definitely MUCH more nervous about it. I trained, and I had good weeks and bad weeks of training. But on March 18th, 2012, I ran my very first 10km race and I fell in love with the racing atmosphere, adrenaline and camaraderie among runners. The whole day was just good vibes.

But after that 10km race, I sort of felt I was done with training specifically for running. I wanted to focus more on general fitness. Which I did. I started weightlifting and I absolutely love it. I experimented with other sports like rock climbing and hiking. I experimented with all sorts of fitness, which I enjoyed very much.

I needed to give myself this change to challenge my body in new ways of fitness, but I would always go back to running. There really is nothing like the run. You catch the rhythm of your feet and push yourself mentally and physically beyond where you thought you could possibly go.

And so.. here I am, once again registered to another race. This time the race is a half-marathon. I am currently in week one of training and it is going really great. I will keep you updated.

My dream of running a marathon just feels so much closer. It can be a reality and it feels good!

I am so happy and prod of myself at how far I have come.

I am a runner and I love it!

xX

Rati

DIY: Studded Sweater! (Stud-tastic!)

I love studded and spiked clothes, shoes, jewelry... studded everything!! :D haha! A little bit of studs and spikes on certain clothes just gives it a bit more character, fun and edge.

Now, I know we can all just walk into a store and buy our own studded items. BUT... it really is more fun to create your own studded clothes. Especially from old or forgotten clothes in your closet.

We all have sweaters, tops or jackets in our closet that we don't wear anymore. Instead of having those sweater sit in our closet, wasting space and not being worn... we can recycle them and give them new life by adding STUDS!

This is fun to do on a cozy afternoon or evening, especially now in the winter. Its really easy, fun and you can get as creative as you want.

What you will need:

• Studs (I bought mine at www.ebay.com)
• An old sweater

Instructions:

Place the studs on your sweater on the position that you want to pin them in.

  Press and secure the studs in the sweater. AND.... 

Its complete!

Now I can rock out my "new" sweater for the winter.

Viva the studs!

I hope you have as much fun making this sweater as I did!

Get as creative as you want with these studs. There is still hope for those sweaters at the back of your closet

Xx

Rati

Sandwich on the Go!

Dear Avocados, I love you! :D

They are a creamy ,wonderful and healthy goodness. A gift to our taste buds. Hahaha! So yes you can see how much I love them. :D

I partly grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa. In our backyard there is an avocado tree. When they were ripe and in season, my brothers and I would always make sure the house was filled with avocados. It was wonderful to just be able to pick avocados out of the tree! Africa is such a gift in that way.

So having avocados around, I found many ways to use them. This is a really quick and very easy recipe. I know for a fact we all just don't always have time to make an extravagant meal and I don't enjoy spending numerous hours in the kitchen making a meal. But just because a meal is quick it doesn't mean it cant be absolutely delicious.

So here's a recipe to a quick  and easy lunch on the go.

Ingredients:

• 2 Slices of whole grain bread (or 1 slice, if you want to make an open sandwich)
• 1/3 of a medium sized avocado
• 1 handful spinach
• Thin Cucumber slices
• 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
• 2 slices lunch meat (It can be turkey, beef or chicken. Even meat leftover from dinner last night. Whichever makes your taste buds happy)
• Black pepper to sprinkle (optional)
• Parsley to sprinkle (optional)
• Sriracha Hot Sauce (optional)

Recipe:

1. Toast bread until tender and crispy
2. Spread cottage cheese
3. sprinkle black pepper and parsley
4. Add cucumber slices and spinach
5. Slice the avocado and place on bread
6. Sprinkle Sriracha on top if desired
7. Close the sandwich up and ENJOY!

So simple. So good. So healthy. So filling.

I hope you enjoy this simple yummy sandwich.

Xx

Rati

Black Bean Burger

Simply put, I love food.
Not all food.
I love good, wholesome, healthy, unprocessed food.
I love exploring new flavors and tastes.
And I love doing it the healthy way.

I am not a vegan or vegetarian. But I really really love and eat so many veggies.
I do enjoy a good steak or grilled chicken. But I feel there are more flavors and recipes and tastes to explore outside of meat.

Yesterday I made my very first Black Bean Veggie burger... SOOO GOOOD!!!
It smelt so good and I was so hungry so I took bite out of the pattie on the right just before I snapped a shot :D haha!

This whole meal is simple and easy to make. I have the recipe for you below.
It is both light and very filling.

Ingredients:

1 can of Black Beans (or Chickpeas or cook your own beans)
1 handful of diced mushrooms (whatever kind you like the most)
1/2 red onion diced (any kind onion will do really)
3 garlic cloves finely chopped(add more or less according to how much you like your garlic )
1/2 diced green pepper
2 tablespoons of sweet corn
1 cup oatmeal (you can also use flour)
2 tablespoons of olive oil (or any kind of cooking oil you prefer)
1 tablespoon Chili powder
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (optional)
1 teaspoon Sriracha Hot Sauce (or any kind of hot sauce you like)
1 teaspoon curry
1-2  eggs

Recipe:

1. (If baking preheat the oven at 180C or 385F)
2. Drain the black beans. (Don't throw away the juice. you can drink it or drizzle of a salad later.) Mash the beans with a folk in a bowl and until its mashed pretty well. After mashing the beans, stir in the sweet corn
3. Put a 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan (or use a cooking spray). Add the onions, garlic, green peppers and mushrooms. and cook until onions are translucent. 
4. Whilst you wait for the cooked stuff to cool down a bit, mix 1 egg, hot sauce, chili, curry and mustard in a small bowl.
5. Pour the egg mixture, oatmeal and cooked ingredients into the mashed beans and mix it all together. The mixture should be sticky and stay together well. You may need to add more oatmeal to get to a good paste or an extra egg if it is too dry. Set the mixture aside for about 5-10mins for the flavors to really mix well and for the excess liquid to be soaked by the oatmeal
6. Whilst you wait you can make a quick spinach salad. just toss together a cup of spinach, some sweet corn, a bit of feta, cherry tomatoes and drizzle some balsamic vinegar.
7. Now take the mixture and mold it into patties. This recipe should make about 6 medium sized patties. 
8. If frying in a pan. Put a tablespoon of oil in the pan and place the patties in to cook on both sides.
9. If you are baking place the patty in the over for 20 minutes or until crispy on the outside. Flip the burger after 10 minutes.)
10. Then serve it with your spinach salad and, if you like, sprinkle a bit of cheese on top as a treat ;)

Note that you can always freeze the patties you don't want to cook yet for later. I made 6 patties. I cooked some and froze the other patties to cook later during the week.

You can always experiment with this burger by adding different kinds of cooked vegetables, but remembering to keep correct proportions.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Xx

Rati