CAULIFLOWER MINCE

1. Cut cauliflower up in tiny pieces

2. Add yellow and purple raisins

3. Fresh chopped parsley

4. Thinly chopped yellow pepper

Splash balsamic vinaigrette on top or simply add a sprinkle of sesame oil.  

LIVING VEGA-TARIAN::: STEAMED KALE

LIVING VEGA-TARIAN::: STEAMED KALE

Not complicated, but is simply delicious, steamed kale is packed full of nutrition. An excellent, potent source of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids, and that's just to start. Research has also shown that kale contains 45 — can you believe it?! 45 — different flavonoids with a variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Easy to prepare:

1. Slice the kale

2. Steam

3. Top with thinly sliced onions and spices

That's it! Dig in and enjoy! 

Love Cerise

LIVING VEGA-TARIAN::: ROASTED EGGPLANT

Many of the nutritional benefits gained from consuming eggplants are obtained from the skin of the vegetable. Eggplant skin is full of fiber, potassium and magnesium and antioxidants. In fact, its phenolic content makes it such a potent free radical scavenger that the eggplant is ranked among the top 10 vegetables in terms of oxygen radical absorbency capacity.

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like the eggplant decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight.

How is the this delicious VEGA-TARIAN meal made? Very easily. 

1. Slice slits in your eggplant and push pieces of garlic inside. I used the gigantic type. They burst with flavour and are large enough to push in the slit. 

2. Once your eggplant is stuffed with garlic then you simply put it in the roaster with your desired veggies. I used remnants I found in my fridge:: Portobello mushrooms, grape tomatoes, yellow pepper, carrots and seasonings (black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, sesame oil, olive oil, parsley)

Throw them all in the roaster and cook for until the eggplant's skin is ready to peel off easily.

This is what you will get at the end. Dig in and enjoy. You can serve the veggies on a bed of Quinoa or enjoy alone! 

LOVE CERISE

FRUIT SALAD

Mmm fruit salad is yummy anytime during the year. It's easy to make, delicious to enjoy and of course it's great for the body.
In this particular salad I added::: 1. Apples (Red Delicious and Empire brand). 
2. Blackberries
3 Kiwi
4. For the dressing I added a cranberry vinaigrette.

Apples have pectin in the walls of the apple between the flesh and the skin. Pectin helps to suppress your appetite and scrub your cells.

Blackberries are great antioxidants.

Kiwi is packed with vitamin A. If you're worried about wrinkles then indulge in this fruit, it's known to help hydrate the skin and enhance a more youthful look.
Mix together and enjoy!
Love Cerise

PORTOBELLO WRAPS

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM WRAPS

Not a lot is needed for this awesome recipe. It's tasty, fast to make, very low in calories and is great for the body. 

Let's take a closer look at the Portobello mushroom itself. What is it? Why is it so large? Well the difference between a small cremini mushroom and the portobello is size. A cremini is harvested when it's young, and a portobello is a full grown mushroom.

Here are some of God's great ingredients in the portobello mushroom. 

Fiber

Portobello mushrooms have a moderately high amount of fiber. A 100-gram serving contains just over 2 grams. Fiber is a key substance for controlling cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. It also has a filling effect on the body, which is beneficial for weight maintenance. 

Potassium

Potassium is an important electrolyte mineral needed for muscle contractions, protein synthesis, nerve function and acid-alkaline balance.

Phosphorus

The body relies on phosphorus for bone strength. It also contributes to the reduction of muscle soreness during workouts and filtration of waste from the kidneys. 

B Vitamins

The B vitamins help with red blood cell formation, energy production and nervous system function. 

Okay so let's see what we're doing with these large meaty mushrooms. 

1. Take a portobello                                

 

2. Slice the portobello and add desired spices (I added masala powder, garlic glove, onion, black pepper, sesame oil and molasses)

*Mix all in a bowl. 

***NOTE::: Portobello mushrooms contain natural sodium. If you have high blood pressure do not add soya sauce or salt. 

 

3. Place in a cookware and cook in the oven on 350 degrees until desired tenderness.

You can pour tomato sauce on top as shown in the picture. Alternatively you may want to Alfredo sauce as well, also shown in picture.  

4. Prepare Romaine lettuce leaves 

5. Place the portobello in the wrap and enjoy. 

If you prefer to eat the portobello cold, as opposed to warm, then let cool in the fridge for 1hr, and then wrap.
You may want to use a sprig of dill to add a little zing. 

There are a variety of dips and sauces you could use. One that I really like is my homemade vegan pesto, which I'll be posting in a few days. 

Please feel free to let me know how you enjoyed the portobello wraps. 

CHICK PEA SALAD

Another simple salad that can be made in minutes. 

Health Benefits of Chickpeas

• Fiber Advantage and Weight Loss: Like other beans, Chickpeas, are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that snares bile (which contains cholesterol) and ferries it out of the body. Research studies have shown that insoluble fiber not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders.
• Protein for Vegetarians: Chickpeas are a good source of protein. Combined with a whole grain such as whole-wheat protein, they provide amount of protein comparable to that of meat or dairy foods without the high calories or saturated fats.
• Manganese for Energy Production: Garbanzos are an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, which is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. Just one cup of garbanzo beans supplies 84.5% of the daily value for this mineral.
• Iron Boost: Garbanzos can boost your energy because of their high iron content. This is particularly important for menstruating women, pregnant or lactating women and growing children. Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism.
• Stabilizing Blood Sugar and Low Glycaemic Index (GI): Soluble fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance, hypoglycemia or diabetes, beans like garbanzos can help you balance blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy. They have low GI value of 28 – 32 means the carbohydrate in them is broken down and digested slowly. This is helpful for weight loss as it controls appetite.
• Heart Healthy: Regular intake of Chickpeas can lower LDL (bad) and total cholesterol. Garbanzos contain the significant amounts of folate and magnesium. Folate lowers the levels of the amino acid, homocysteine and strengthens the blood vessels. Studies have found chickpeas lower the risk of heart attack
• For Women: Garbanzo contain phytochemicals called saponins, which can act as antioxidants. It could lower the risk of breast cancer, protect against osteoporosis and minimizes hot flushes in post-menopausal women.
• Weight Loss: Due to high fiber content and low GI, chickpeas are excellent for weight loss diets. Salad with chickpeas are tasty and can keep you full longer, controlling the appetite.

1. One can of Chick peas or also known as Garbonzo beans

2. Half an onion

3. Thinly sliced/chopped cucumbers 

4. Plum tomatoes

5. Clove of garlic

6 Preferred spices (I added Garlic powder/touch of salt/black pepper/cumin)

Mix all together and enjoy! 

BEET VEGGIE SOUP

Beets are an awesome veggie. Here are some interesting facts that may even surprise you. 

Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals. Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. 

Beets cleanse the body. 

Beets help your mental health. 

Beets are a high source of energy.

Okay, so here's how you make this delicious soup.

1. Buy the beets on the stem from the grocery store... as shown in the picture.

2. Cut the beet off the stem and peel it.

3. Cut it into small chunks.

4. Take the stem and the leaves and slice them up as well.

5. Throw everything in the pot of water with other veggies if you like. I added celery, onions, garlic and tomatoes, but you can add what you like best. Just keep in mind that everything will turn red.

6. As your soup base you can be flexible. For example, you may want to use a package of onion soup mix. For my base I used spices.
Cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and a dash of ginger powder.

7. Bring to a boil and let simmer to desired tenderness.

ENJOY!
Love Cerise.

BATTERED EGGPLANT

So the weight loss process has been going okay. I've lost 12 pounds. Well if you remember, I gained 10 more pounds in the beginning, but lost it again and now I have been successfully keeping it off and feeling lighter. I haven't been exercising, but I do plan to... haha isn't that always the hitch?! 

I gotta get into the swing of exercising. I used to be so into it. 

Anyway folks, try this recipe. it is vegetarian and good! 

Do not eat too many. It's a vegetarian plate, but it's high in fat due to the batter and the oil!

1- Slice the eggplant

2- Make the batter: flour/cumin/black pepper/salt/ginger/water

3- Dip the eggplant in batter and fry

4. When medium brown remove from the pan and place on plate

Serve with your fav dip!