Food for the Soul – Bid Adieu to STRESS

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014Leave a comment

There are some days when I take a look at my to-do list and really wonder if even half of it is doable. My knee jerk reaction is panic. My heart beats rapidly, my stomach cramps, and I start thinking about anything other than the tasks at hand. Yeah, a little procrastination happens, let’s be real. No matter how much I plan, and I’m the queen of planners and calendars, I can’t seem to avoid a momentary panic. But what good would I be or how effective can I possibly be when I am under stress? Some people can function under pressure, in fact it’s when they shine, but that’s really not beneficial for my health – think raised cortisol levels and comfort food. Shoveling spoonfuls of coconut ice cream into my mouth while wallowing in self pity. I don’t want that. None of us do. We all want to feel as relaxed as possible.

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Holla for Chana Masala

April 23, 20143 Comments

I believe this is my very first Indian recipe on the blog. Gasp. This is a very auspicious moment. I actually loved how this dish turned out so much I am happy to share it with you. The best part? SUPER EASY! Many Indian dishes take FOREVER and this is simply because of the spices, marinating and making sure you get so many layers of flavor in each bite (this takes great expertise-which I am still working on). This chana (chickpea) recipe is fool proof and can be made on the busiest of nights to satisfy the hungriest men in your home (or women- it surely satisfied me). I hope you enjoy this delicious dish as much as I did.

What You Need:

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (or ghee if you’re going the non-vegan route)
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 jalapeño chopped
1 tablespoon chopped ginger (you may also grate it to save time)
1 bag of organic baby spinach
2 15 -ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 24-ounce can of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes
1 red onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
Cilantro, for garnish
Himalayan Pink salt (or sea salt) and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooked Brown rice or Naan, for serving

How You Make It:

Head olive oil or ghee in a large skillet. Add garlic, ginger, onion to the pan and let cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add curry powder, chili powder and cumin and cook until fragrant.
Add chickpeas to the spicy onion mixture and stir until completely coated.
Slowly add in tomatoes, breaking tomatoes with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
Once the sauce is slightly thick, fold in spinach and stir until it wilts (the heat from the skillet will do this pretty quickly).
Remove from heat. Serve immediately with brown rice or naan and garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy this little taste of India at your next meal.

Peace, love and NO beef!

Guramrit

Fiesta Tacos with Tempeh

April 16, 2014April 16, 2014Leave a comment

I looooove tacos. Seriously. I love tacos. I love Mexican food in general. Actually, I think I just love food. If I could just go around tasting food all day I would not only be a big roly poly, I would be a very happy pudgy person.

It just so happened to be a Tuesday (hello, Taco Tuesday) and I had a craving. I also had a ton of tempeh hiding in my fridge in an attempt to fall madly in love with tempeh (I think it might be working). These tacos were the love child of the ingredients in my fridge, my obnoxious craving for tacos and a lovely spring day.

It’s okay, you can start salivating now. I promise I won’t judge you. These tacos are THAT good.

What You Need:

For the Tempeh

1 package of Organic Three Grain Tempeh (check out Lightlife), sliced into thin strips

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

2 limes, juiced (and zest)

3 tbs extra virgin olive oil

3 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin powder

2 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

For the Slaw

1/2 package of broccoli slaw mix (or coleslaw mix from your grocery store)

1 lime, juiced

2 tbs diced pickled jalapenos (or you can also use fresh)

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

For Taco Assembly

Gluten Free Corn Tortillas

Toppings: Avocado, Tomato, Cilantro, Salsa or more lime

How You Make it:

Create the marinade for the tempeh by combining the lime, olive oil, garlic, spices in a bowl. Cover the sliced tempeh completely with this marinade and let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour (the longer it marinades, the better tasting your tempeh).
While the tempeh marinates, make the slaw by combining the slaw mix with the pickled jalapenos, salt, pepper, lime juice and olive oil. Let sit for 20 minutes.
After your tempeh is fully marinated, warm up a cast iron skillet on high heat. Once hot, lower to medium-high heat and add the strips of tempeh. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
Assemble your tacos! Grab a couple of corn tortillas (you can warm on the stove, microwave, oven-however you like), add 3 slices of tempeh per tortilla, top with slaw and your favorite toppings. I love avocado, tomato and cilantro.

There is nothing more satisfying than a delicious taco and a simple meal on a weeknight.

What are your favorite Taco Tuesday recipes? I’d love to know!

Peace, love and NO beef!

Guramrit

Sexy Kale Salad

April 2, 2014April 2, 20141 Comment

Spring is all about getting sexy for summer time. What better way to prepare your body for warmer weather than a light and delicious salad? I thoroughly enjoy eating a light yet filling salad. You can really jazz up a salad with a few change of ingredients, mixing up your greens and trying different dressings to tickle your taste buds.

Earlier this month, I visited Dr. Andrew Weil’s restaurant, True Foods in Newport Beach, CA. I am a huge fan of Dr. Weil and his anti-inflammatory diet. His recipes are mouthwatering and absolutely fabulous. Even my boyfriend who is not a big green juice drinker, tried a kale-aid (kale, apple, cucumber, lemon & ginger juice). He scarfed down the street tacos (check them out, small, fresh and absolutely divine for the carnivore you love). I ordered his kale crunch salad with avocado, grapefruit, kale, cabbage, watercress, almond and radish with a chili garlic dressing. I could NOT get over how incredible this salad was. I really have not ever tasted a salad this phenomenal. The moment I got home I HAD to recreate this salad.

For you lovers of kale, try this salad for your next meal. I guarantee you will be craving this salad.

What You Need:

For the Salad

1 bag or bunch of Tuscan kale (you can get a bag of organic Tuscan kale from Trader Joes), chopped
1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of radishes, sliced
1 red grapefruit, sectioned (skin removed)
1 blood orange, sectioned (skin removed)
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds

For the Dressing

3 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 scallion, chopped
Juice of one lime
1 tbsp Sriracha (or more to taste)
1 tsp red chili flakes
Sea salt to taste

How You Make It:

Add kale to a large bowl. Drizzle in one tablespoon of olive oil and begin to massage the olive oil into the kale with your hands. Continue to massage until the kale has wilted and slightly darkened (this will remove the bitterness of the kale and bring out the amazing nutrients in this perfect green).
Toss in the rest of the ingredients for the salad. Let sit for a few minutes while you whip up the dressing.
In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the dressing. Season with sea salt or a little extra sriracha if you like!
Serve with a little extra slivered almonds for garnish.

Enjoy getting sexy for summer!

Peace, love and NO beef!

Guramrit

Why I Loved My Juice Cleanse with Juice Press

March 30, 2014Leave a comment

Happy Sunday beautiful friends. I am overjoyed and filled with immense energy after the best juice cleanse I have ever done. Spring to me is always a time to cleanse and reset. Especially after the winter we had, I really needed some detoxification. I enjoy juice cleansing because of the break it gives my digestive system. It helps me recognize my emotional attachment to foods and points out some of the cravings I have. I don’t juice cleanse to lose weight even though many people do lose weight when they juice for an extended period of time. I cleanse for the sake of treating my body good. I love giving my body some much needed nutrients and taking time to really rest. Trust me I took time to get my full 8 hours and put my needs first. We ALL need to do that from time to time, if not ALL the time.

This month I started a new job and was introduced to Juice Press. It is a raw juice and smoothie bar of the future (their words). And I am all for their mission. During my lunch hour I wandered over to Juice Press and tried one of their green juices. Actually, I tried quite a few things. They have a fridge full of samples. AMAZING. You can win me over any day with free samples.

I brought home a menu and decided to embark on amazing juice journey with my mom. I have done two other juice cleanses before with Love Grace Foods and The Squeeze Truck and even did the Dr. Oz cleanse with smoothies. I knew the drill and mentally prepare myself to feel complete hungry and possibly a few mood swings.

Day 1

I woke up energized and ready to take on my day. The first juice was a grapefruit, orange and lemon. It was tart, tangy and citrusy. LOVED it. I went through my day not feeling a bit hungry. Shocking! I was anticipating day 1 to be my worst day because that was my experience the last time. Each and every juice was nutrient filled, well thought out, delicious and kept me full. I really didn’t even miss food. I almost didn’t finish one of my juices since I was so full off my juices. The only one I really wasn’t fond of was “Good Weed” with filtered water, hemp seeds, tahini, coconut sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and sea salt. I really could not take the intense flavor of the tahini even though my favorite go to dressing contains tahini. I got used to it by the third day but it really was my least favorite of the 6 juices I had throughout the day.

Day 2

I woke up incredibly groggy, convinced I wouldn’t make it through the day. Can I have my dirty soy chai latte, please? After the first two juices I got a little pep in my step and seemed to function. No real signs of hunger. My skin looks great. I’m just going to the bathroom to pee every 30 minutes.

Day 3

Can I do this for 2 days more? I LOVE how I feel right now! I feel light, clean, clear and completely NOT bloated! I hate feeling bloated. I love feeling completely empty yet satisfied at the same time.

Even though I am gradually adjusting back to normal eating, I am very impressed with Juice Press and their well thought out cleanses. Not only that but their selection of salads, raw desserts and even breakfast items are to die for. I picked up their chia seed pudding and acai superfood bowl as easy post cleanse meals and fell deeper in love with Juice Press. Seriously? What can’t you guys do?!