Tag: nutrition

Warming Lemon Ginger Detox Drink

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Tempeh Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sammies (4)

4 months is a LONG time for a hiatus from a blog and for this I truly apologize. Winter for me was really a time of hibernation, self discovery and reevaluation. And sometimes we (am I alone here?) get stuck in a food rut. Yea. It’s the truth. It happened to me. I got stuck in the red lentil soup, pasta, quesadilla for dinner rotation for most of the winter because I was pretty tired. I work outside most days of the week and it was COLD in NYC. I really focused on ramping up my rest and self care, which ended up looking like: Netflix and chillin’ on the couch with hubs and lots AND lots of sleep.

The creative juices were a little on pause but the last few weeks have given birth to something new. To be honest (wait, when am I not!?), I really needed a mental break. But a piece of me was DEFINITELY missing. When I am not in constant creation mode, I don’t really feel like ME. This was a much needed pause so I can come back with a bang 😉

I am trying to step more fully into my cooking and try NEW things or even experiment with things I have tried outside that I want to GiMix (thanks to my friend David for this term, it’s da bomb).

I don’t know about you but this winter just made me feel puffy (compensating for the cold with a little extra puff?). I’m not big on doing smoothies in the winter (that’s just cray to me-cold in the cold?!) so I suck down hot bev’s like nobodies business. I frequented Le Pain Quotidien on some work days to grab their Honey lemon ginger tea. It’s sour, sweet, warm and just so damn cozy. But $5 for a small!? NOPE. I can make it at home for a fraction of the cost and drink it allllll day long.

The best part?

It’s delicious and the combo of lemon + ginger helps improve the metabolism, balance blood sugar, boosts the immune system while maintaining an alkaline state in the body (too much acid is no bueno).

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You can make a big batch of this stuff and store in the fridge for sipping throughout the day or week. Oh and it can either be served warm or cold. I prefer it warm of course 😉

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Cauliflower Couscous {a party in your mouth}

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The Awesome Autumn Cleanse

Recipe wizardry (as I like to call it) is an art. You want food to actually taste good, look good but be easy enough that the amateur home cook can think to his or herself, “Oh hell yea, I can make that and it sounds delicious.” I’ve always had that intention when it comes to my recipes, my cookbook (and long long long project of cookbook number 2- it’s a tough one guys and gals, it’s really freakin’ tough) and the classes I teach. I want everyone to feel like nourishing, healthy food is not just some luxury. It should come naturally almost like a symphony of ingredients perfectly coexisting in a foodgasmic harmony.

Can’t a girl dream?

Over the last month or so I’ve hosted a few cooking workshops (GiMix it Up) and really gave people the opportunity to get into a real NYC kitchen. I do not create my food in a commercial kitchen, I have minimal counter space and I make due with the space I have. I LOVE my apartment and my kitchen. It was one of the first things that stood out to me. I at least have cabinets and I get to create yummy things as a result. I think having people in my kitchen to see what I work with gives them a little relief. Like, hello, I’m a real person, this is real life and I’m not going to magically pull out an already made version of a dish we are putting together. That’s not how it works.

One of the awesome menus I put together, legit, took no time at all. People were amazed at how easy this meal came together, how delicious and how the flavors developed with minimal ingredients. I’m all about that life.

A messy prep shows how much fun this is 🙂
Braised greens
Delicata squash
Perfecting knife skills with some parsnip

This menu included: easy braised greens, roasted veggies AND the piece de resistance: cauliflower “couscous” with tart cherries, pepitas and a tangy, light honey lemon sauce.

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Mighty Mango Salad {Cleanse Approved + Delish}

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My fellow New Yorkers and myself have felt the intense sweat fest of the last few weeks which were briefly followed by a few days of Autumn teasing us (you know, with the cool breeze and low temps). But then sister Summer decided she was no where near gone and smacked us in the face with heat. If you thought you could stop eating watermelon and tropical fruits to cool you down, you were wrong.

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This is why this salad is the bomb diggity.

Let me give you a few buzz words to get the taste buds ready…because I promise you…you will want this in your belly…or on top of chips before entering your belly. It’s that freakin’ good.

My might mango salad is…

refreshing

hydrating

tangy (love tangy)

detoxifying

but ultimately…cooling.

I know you must be hungry by now. MWAHAHA!

Mighty Mango Salad

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Serves 2 (or 1 hungry human)
Total time: 10 minutes (depends on how precise you feel like being)

What You Need:

  • 1-3 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1 ear of corn (roasted on the fire if you have the patience), kernels removed from the cob
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 humongous heirloom tomato, diced
  • 1 mango, cubed
  • 1 cup of black beans, rinsed
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped (keep the stems, don’t toss, use ’em up)
  • 1-2 limes, juiced (for extra zestiness)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How You Make It:

  1. Combine all yummy ingredients in a big bowl.
  2. Season. Set aside for proper flavor mingling. Let’s say about 5 minutes.
  3. Enjoy with chips but a smile…of course 😉

Peace, love and NO BEEF!

Guramrit

 

Super Stuffed Peppers {Almost Vegan, Perfectly Delish}

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Tempeh Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sammies (4)

When life gets insane in the membrane, meals that are simple to put together and extra nourishing really make everything that much better.

I’m not going to lie, the last few weeks have been challenging for me. I’m adjusting to a new work schedule and I think I’ve spread myself pretty thin (just picture this: I work three jobs- not complaining, I love what I do- I’m planning a wedding that’s 2 months away, I still need to have the time to eat, sleep, cook, get mani pedis and enjoy summer).

Being human is a challenge sometimes.

Some days we sleep less.

Some days we eat less or more.

Balance is such an illusion. It’s not real. We can truly have it all but we don’t need to sacrifice it all in order to have it. I’m not a delusional holistic health guru. I exist in this real world. Sometimes there is no time to slave away in the kitchen and it is too damn hot to turn on the mother flippin’ oven or even stand near a stove and pizza sounds like the best option.

This recipe was born on a day it wasn’t too hot to put on the oven and I just didn’t want a ton of pots going at the same time. I just wanted to take what I already had in my fridge, put it together in a semi-cohesive, orgasmic, healthy dinner.

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I’ve done this a handful of times over the last month or so and to be honest, it only gets more and more delicious (and random af).

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Protein Powered Mason Jar Muesli

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Wait…what in the heck is a Muesli?!

For the last few weeks, I’ve been packing my breakfasts for work (in addition to my daily green smoothie)…and besides the usual overnight oats, I decided to give Muesli a go. And besides, I have some kickass protein powders that I figured belonged in my breakfast (and no longer in my smoothie…I think I over did it for the last month, so I’m all about switching thangs up).

But wait…for realz, what is muesli?

According to our friend the Dictionary and Wikipedia, muesli is a: breakfast and brunch dish based on raw rolled oats and other ingredients including grains, fresh or dried fruits, seeds and nuts, and may be mixed with cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, other forms of plant milk, yogurt or fruit juice. 

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Now, I’m not a fan of mixing oats with juice but I’m all about the yogurt and almond milk combo. It’s really nourishing, filling and pretty friggin’ deeeeelish.

This recipe makes breakfast even more amazeballs. It keeps you satisfied because it’s jam packed with protein (that Bob’s Red Mill, really hits it on the head), a variety of textures (I’m all about the crunchy) and keeps the body cool. Sometimes hot oatmeal is not sexy on a muggy summer day.

Besides, don’t you think your breakfast could use an upgrade?! I know I like a little variety (here’s my overnight oats recipe…it’s similar and perfectly adaptable).

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