Vegetables: natural remedies for the cold and flu season

The short days and cold mornings make it hard to get out of bed and exercise or even find the motivation to eat well. When it comes to protecting yourself from the common cold or flu, eating nutrient-rich food is of crucial importance. Giving your body the right vitamins and minerals to help fend off illness, can usually reduce the severity of your symptoms and help you to get better sooner.

Practice what you preach, I combined 6 vegetables and sprouts and called it Lunch.
  • Organic spinach
  • 2 types of sprouts
  • Cucumber
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Home cooked red beets
To add even more nutrients to my lunch I added nutritional yeast (B vitamins), hemp seeds (essential fatty acids) and some good olive & walnut oil.

Here's to a flu free season! Cheers!
xoxo



Baked oatmeal

My sister and I share a love for oatmeal. This morning I made us breakfast of champions: baked oatmeal.
  • Gluten-free rolled oats
  • Almond milk
  • Banana
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Chopped walnuts
  • Almond flakes
  • Honey
Happy Sunday! xoxo



Hydrate naturally

Water is the most essential nutrient for sustaining life. Your body requires 8 to 12 cups of water daily. I love drinking water, but some people find it boring... Healthy alternatives to water can hydrate your body while offering more appealing flavors and textures.

Coconut water is very healthy, 100% natural and one of the best drinks to hydrate your body. Coconut water is low in carbs, low in sugars and 99% fat free. Coconut water also contains more potassium than most sports or energy drinks. I love Vita Coco (different flavors), especially after a work-out!

I also like to spice up my water with some lemon, lime or mint. Refreshingly delicious.

xoxo


A trip to Whole Foods

Yesterday I went to Whole Foods in London, also known as food heaven :) Seriously, when I'm at Whole Foods I feel like a kid in a toy shop! Organic, gluten-free, raw, vegan,... you name it, Whole Foods has it!

I bought a few healthy superfoods that are difficult to find in Belgium:

  • Nutritional yeast (= packed with nutrition, particularly B-vitamins, folic acid, selenium, zinc, and protein. It’s low in fat, gluten-free and contains no added sugars or preservatives. Because vitamin B12 is absent from plant foods, nutritional yeast that contains B12 is a great addition to a vegan diet)
  • Organic kale (= green leafy vegetable packed with nutrition, a wonderful superfood)
  • Gluten-free instant oats bags (= I love my oatmeal in the morning, these little bags are perfect to take with me on holiday or when in a hurry)
  • Green superfood bars (= a sugar-free, gluten-free, superfood snack)
  • Gluten-free vegetable and chicken stock (= a great soup asks for great stock)
  • Instant organic miso soup (= healthy snack @ work)
  • Gluten-free rolled oats (= of course!)
  • Superfood crackers & kale spirulina crackers (= this girl needs her snacks, superfood snacks)
  • A big bag of raw nuts (= looooove)
  • ...
xoxo


Alkaline vs Acid

An alkaline way of life is the perfect start to restore your overall healthBy transforming your nutrition into an alkalizing pH diet, which can be by eating vegetables all day long, or taking green food nutritional supplements, the body’s pH level will gradually be balanced. When the nutrients of alkaline foods get into your bloodstream, every cell in your body will be recreated and regenerated. An alkaline diet thus helps to boost your energy levels, improve skin, reduce allergies and enhance mental clarity. The following lists go over the acid or alkaline values of the foods we eat. The acurate way to measure the alkalinity of food is how the food changes the pH value of the tissues of the body. Once food is digested, an "ash" is formed. The pH of this ash is different than the pH value of the actual food itself. Lemons for example are very acidic by themselves however when digested they have an alkalizing effect in the body!

A simple way to begin this alkalizing lifestyle program is to begin by looking over the lists below and start by increasing the amount of alkalizing foods that get onto your plate and reducing the amount of acidic foods that you consume. 
  • Highly Alkalizing Foods
Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, baking soda, beet greens, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cabbage lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celery root, chard, chicory, chives, cilantro,collards, comfrey, cucumbers, dandelion greens, eggplant, endive, fennel, garlic, ginger, wheat grass and its juice, barley grass, kamut grass, green beans, jicama, kohlrabi, leeks, lemon, lettuce, lima beans, lime, lotus root, mustard greens, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, pumpkin, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, sea salt, sea vegetables, seaweed, sorrel, soy lecithin, soy beans, soy nuts, spinach, sprouted beans-grains-seeds in all variaties, squash, sweet poatoes, taro root, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, wasabi, watercress, zucchini.
  • Moderately Alkalizing Foods
Raw Almonds, Borage oil, brazil nuts, buckwheat groats, burdock root, caraway seeds, chia seeds, cumin seeds, dasheen, fennel seeds flax seed oil, flax seeds, hazelnuts, herbs, millet, nigella seeds, parsnip, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, radishes, sesame seeds, soy flour, stevia, sunflower seeds, tofu.
  • Low Alkalizing Foods
Amaranth, black-eyed peas, Bragg liquid aminos™, apples, apricots, bananas, black currants, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cold pressed oils, currants, dates, evening primrose oil, figs, flax seed oil, gooseberries, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, mandarin oranges, mangos, marine lipids, nectarines, olive oil, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, pmegranates, raspberries, red currants, rosehips, strawberries, tangerines, ugli fruit, watermelon. (Note: High sugar fruits are acidic in an imbalanced body and are best in season and for cleansing purposes in moderation. Fruit juice is not recommended) fava beans, head lettuce, kamut, miso, pecans, quinoa, rice(brown and basmati), spelt, spices, string beans, sunflower oil, teff, vegetable broth, vegetables cooked, walnuts, wax beans, wild rice.
  • Neutral Foods
Fresh coconut meat and water, ghee, xylitol
  • Low Acidic Foods
Agave nectar, brown rice syrup, fresh water fish, dried fruit, honey raw, lentils, olives, rye bread, sprouted-grain bread and meal, whole grain bread and meal.
  • Moderately Acid Foods
Barley, beans, carob, cashews, cranberries, fructose, granola, legumes, pistachios, turbinado sugar, vanilla, wheat, stored potatoes, soy sauce, tamari, tapioca,
  • Highly Acidic Foods
Bacon, Barley malt sweetener, Biscuits, Butter, Bread-white bread, chicken, cheese, eggs, cakes, corn, corn meal, crab, lobster, mushrooms, organic cheese, oatmeal, oats, ocean fish, pasta, pastries, pork, rice, sausages, shrimp, turkey, veal, Alcohol of all kinds, artificial sweeteners, candy, cheese, cocoa, coffee and black tea, cottonseed oil, refined oils, both raw milk and cow's milk that has been homogenized and pasteurized, fried foods of all kinds, game birds, hydrogenated oil, ice cream, jam, jelly, hops, malt, margarine, milk chocolate, msg, processed foods, pudding, refined sugar, white sugar, table salt(NaCl), vinegar of all kinds, yeast, soft drinks, candy, processed foods of all kinds.

You may notice that a more alkalizing diet means moving toward a more vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. 

Source: http://www.alkalizingforlife.com/ 

xoxo


Girls just wanna have chocolate

Who says a healthy diet can't include chocolate? It sure can! Dark chocolate is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, known to prevent inflammation and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate is good for you! I always buy organic dark chocolate with a minimum of 80% cacao, the higher the amount of cacao the better! I love Vivani 85% cacao and De Rit Extra Dark 90% cacao. And of course there's also raw cacao, a powerful source of antioxidants and magnesium. I love it, I buy raw cacao powder, raw cacao nibs and sometimes I enjoy a piece of a Lovechock bar.

xoxo


Gluten-free sugar-free pear cake

My sister made these gluten-free & sugar-free pear cakes, don't they look soooo delicious?

xoxo


Vegan Sprouty Salad

Sprouts are vegetable seeds that have just begun growing. They are considered a superfood because of their high nutrient qualities. I made a Vegan Sprouty Salad today with a mix of germinated mung beans, aduki beans, black beans, green lentils, green peas and chickpeas.
  • Rocket salad
  • Mixed sprouts
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Organic falafel balls
  • Walnut oil
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Himalayan sea salt
xoxo


Watermelon & Goat Cheese Salad

The contrasting flavors of sweet watermelon and creamy goat cheese are magical partners. I made a salad for dinner with lots of fresh organic ingredients:
  • Mixed salad
  • Sprouts
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Avocado
  • Organic goat cheese
  • Watermelon
  • Walnuts
  • Dressing (walnut oil, lime juice and honey)
  • Basil, oregano and himalayan salt
xoxo

Speed up your metabolism

The key to a fitter & healthier you lies in your metabolism and how clean your internal body is. Metabolism is a biochemical process that turns calories into energy. You use energy and burn fat when you are doing physical activity and digesting food, but you also continue to burn fat even while you are at rest. The rate at which you burn fat when you are resting is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). There are actually some things you can do to speed up your metabolism so that you can burn fat faster. Sounds great, right?! :)

EAT MORE OFTEN
By increasing the number of meals (and snacks) to six a day - or having something to eat every 2-3 hours - the higher level of metabolism will keep your own energy levels higher and as a result, you feel better, less hungry, and are more able to stick with your healthy diet. So it's better to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals than 2 or 3 big ones. It's also very important that you eat breakfast to jump start your metabolism, skipping breakfast will not make you lose weight!

NATURAL FOODS VS PROCESSED FOODS
By spending a little time each week planning your meals, you are able to include food which actively promotes a higher metabolism. These are natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and enable you to reduce the processed foods normally consumed. Processed foods often contain chemicals which will affect your metabolic rate and slow absorption. They also frequently include additional salt, which encourages the retention of water.

xoxo

Coconut oil

Have you ever tried coconut oil? No? Well, now is a good time to start, the health benefits are incredible. I love it. Coconut oil is good for hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, dental care and bone strength.

When you're following a diet with lots of raw food, certain items are essential to ensure you are receiving the necessary vitamins and minerals required for optimum health. Raw organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is one of these essentials.

One to two tablespoons a day is all you need. Use it as a substitute for butter or other unhealthy fats. 

I use organic extra virgin coconut oil by Amanprana.
xoxo

Barlean's Organic Oils Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 16-Ounce Jar

Vega-licious

Today I ate completely vegan. Gluten-free cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast, homemade red bell pepper & carrot soup for lunch and a lovely vegan plate for dinner.
  • Rocket salad (dressing: walnut oil, olive oil & lemon juice)
  • Lentil sprouts (*)
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Asparagus tips
  • Falafel balls (by Florentin)
  • Hummus Coriander & Lemon (by Florentin)
(*) Sprouts are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, chlorophyll and protein. They are low calorie and contain little or no fat. Add some sprouts to your diet, you'll love it!

xoxo


Pomegranate seeds

Have you ever eaten delicious organic pomegranate seeds or drink refreshing pomegranate juice? Organic pomegranates are high in water content, antioxidants, carbohydrates and potassium, but low in sodium and calories.

I added some pomegranate seeds to my cinnamon oatmeal this morning, so refreshing.
xoxo

Nori my love

Nori sheets and I, that's true love. I love home made sushi. I don't use rice in my sushi (bad carbs). I use vegetables, fish, healthy oils and spices. I made 2 varieties the other day: 1 with hummus, avocado, smoked salmon, soy sauce and ginger and 1 with smoked salmon and asparagus. May sound a bit funny but it was actually very good. It's ready in a sec, super nutritious and low in calories.

xoxo



Organic gluten-free shopping

People often ask me "What do you eat, everything contains gluten." Well, when I first started eating gluten-free I often made the same things because I didn't know better. I missed bread, pasta, cookies so I bought pre-packed gluten-free bread, pre-packed gluten-free cookies, pre-packed gluten-free cereals. But these products are expensive, packed with sugar, unhealthy and they don't even taste good. So I quit.

Now, I almost never buy pre-packed gluten-free products. I buy fresh organic food, I make my own gluten-free bread and my own treats. Sugar-free, healthy and a lot cheaper.

These are some of the things I buy when I go grocery shopping: lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts, superfoods, herbs, healthy oils, vegetarian meat replacers (e.g. organic gluten-free falafels and hummus), herbal tea etc. Delicious ánd nutritious.

xoxo




Green Salad with Strawberries & Goat Cheese

A salad is a great option if you want to enjoy a light and healthy dinner that is easy to prepare. A salad never gets old, especially this one with strawberries, avocado and organic goat cheese. Summer on a plate.
  • Mixed green salad
  • Watercress (stems removed)
  • Fresh sliced strawberries
  • Crumbled organic goat cheese
  • Avocado
  • Chopped walnuts
  • Dressing (extra virgin olive oil, lime juice and maple syrup)
  • Sea salt
xoxo


Homemade organic gluten-free oat muesli

For the first time in 3 weeks I had no oatmeal porridge for breakfast, I had oat muesli! Homemade organic gluten-free oat muesli! I'm such a big fan of muesli and granola. This gluten-free oat muesli is super easy to make and can easily be stored.
  • Gluten-free rolled oats
  • Raisins
  • Chopped hazelnuts
  • Chopped medjool dates
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Chopped dried apricots
  • Dried currants
  • Chia seeds
  • Coconut flakes
I added some fresh blueberries, fresh fig and organic unsweetened soy milk to my muesli and it was delish! xoxo


Raw goodness


Grilled portobello filled with organic goat cheese

Lately I've been a big fan of mushrooms. Shiitake & Portobello are two of my favorites. Portobello mushrooms are nutritious, low in fat and high in fiber which is good for our health. The portobello mushroom is a good source of selenium, potassium and B vitamins. So add some mushrooms to your diet, they're good for you!

I love Portobello in combination with organic goat cheese. One of my personal favorites is grilled portobello filled with organic goat cheese and walnut chunks. I grill the Portobello for 5 - 8 minutes with just a little bit of olive oil, then I add the organic goat cheese, walnut oil and walnut chunks and grill it again for 5 - 8 minutes. I serve it on a bed of spinach (or salad) with a couple of blueberries to sweeten it up. I don't mean to brag, but OMG this tastes so good! I could eat this everyday, seriously!

xoxo



Homemade lemonade

It's such a beautiful day in Antwerp, sunny and 25°. I have my summer dress and my flip-flops on and I'm feeling gooood! 

Hot weather asks for homemade lemonade, my sister and I both made the same delicious lemonade with fresh mint, fresh ginger, fresh lime juice and I also added a cinnamon stick. It's healthy, it's sweet and it doesn't contain any sugar! Woot!

xoxo


Banana porridge

Good morning sweet bowl of banana porridge with chunky pieces of dried fig, walnuts, almond flakes and cinnamon. What's not to love?

xoxo


The Weight of the Nation


                          
THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION is a four-part documentary series, each featuring case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts, and individuals and their families struggling with obesity.

The first film, CONSEQUENCES, examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese. The second, CHOICES, offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain. The third, CHILDREN IN CRISIS, documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation’s children. Through individual stories, this film describes how the strong forces at work in our society are causing children to consume too many calories and expend too little energy; tackling subjects from school lunches to the decline of physical education, the demise of school recess and the marketing of unhealthy food to children. The fourth film, CHALLENGES, examines the major driving forces causing the obesity epidemic, including agriculture, economics, evolutionary biology, food marketing, racial and socioeconomic disparities, physical inactivity, American food culture, and the strong influence of the food and beverage industry.

Watch the films for free here: Weight of the Nation

xoxo

A typical day...

When it's hot & sunny I crave healthy food even more! Big salads, fresh fruit, healthy juices,... YES please! All I need is sunshine, healthy food and green tea :)! I enjoyed these delicious plates today:

Breakfast
Steel cut oatmeal with unsweetened soy milk, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, cinnamon and strawberries.

Lunch
A big raw salad with 12 different veggies.

Dinner
Green salad with broccoli, brussels sprouts and baked salmon with thyme and rosemary.

What can I say, I love my veggies...
xoxo


Easy No-Rice Sushi Roll

It's a beautiful sunny day and I'm in the mood for sushi, so I made some no-rice sushi rolls, packed with delicious veggies and herbs. A perfect light & healthy dinner. Seaweed (e.g. nori, wakame) is considered superfood, it's packed with much-needed vitamins and minerals. This makes it even more delicious :)

Ingredients

  • 1 carrot sliced into strips
  • 1/3 cucumber sliced into strips
  • Green lettuce
  • 3 cherry tomatoes sliced
  • Organic salmon sliced into strips
  • Wakame seaweed
  • Nori sheets
  • Lime juice
  • Fresh grated ginger
  • Tamari soy sauce 
  • Flax seed oil
  • Sea salt & pepper

xoxo


My love for tea

I just realized I almost never blog about my drinks, guess what... they're healthy! :) During the day I only drink water and tea, sometimes a cup of coffee but not everyday.

I never drink sodas, they're packed with sugar and calories. Unhealthy and bad for you! Diet sodas may contain less or no calories but they're sweetened with aspartame, an unhealthy artificial sweetener. If you can't live without your daily lemonade, make it yourself! Just add some fruit or herbs (e.g. lemon, lime, fresh mint,...) to your water and add a few drops of stevia if you like your drinks a bit sweeter. Delicious.

I'm a big fan of tea, I love tea! Especially green tea, white tea, ginger tea and chai tea! Some of my favorite tea brands are Pukka, Yogi Tea and Kusmi Tea.

xoxo




Dr. Frank Lipman about Gluten

What you need to know about gluten.

Did you know that gluten in America differs from gluten in Europe? Or that gluten can even be found in some lipsticks? Dr. Frank Lipman gives us the inside scoop...

xoxo

Don't diet, eat healthy.

Trust me, the juice is worth the squeeze.
xoxo




Veggie noodles with shiitake

I love gluten-free pasta and noodles but I try to avoid carbs in the evening. For dinner I prefer lots of vegetables with some fish, eggs or lean meat (e.g. chicken or turkey).

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper". I like my dinner light and easy to digest, I hate going to bed feeling bloated.

Tonight I made some veggie noodles, I used bean sprouts to replace the noodles, they taste delicious with the organic Shiitake mushrooms I bought this weekend. Shiitake mushrooms contain all 8 essential amino acids. They're also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and an antioxidant called selenium.

Super easy veggie noodles:

  • Bean sprouts 
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Organic tamari soy sauce
xoxo


I *heart* gluten-free oatmeal

I fell in love with gluten-free oatmeal, I've had oatmeal for breakfast every day for the past 2 weeks.

Unfortunately it's difficult to find gluten-free oats in Belgium. I've been using the oats from 'Rosies' to make my oatmeal, I bought them in an organic supermarket in Antwerp but they've been out of stock for 2 weeks now and I can't find them anywhere else. So I ordered gluten-free oats online on iHerb.com (a great organic webshop with lots of gluten-free products). Thank God for online shopping!
I found 3 different kinds of gluten-free oats from Bob's Red Mill . I ordered all 3 of them to see which one I like best :)
  • Gluten-free quick rolled oats are simply rolled oats that have been cut into smaller pieces. Cooking time is 3-4 minutes.
  • Gluten-free whole grain rolled oats are also known as Old-Fashioned Oats. They have been steamed, pressed with a roller and dried. Cooking time is 5-10 minutes.
  • Gluten-free steel-cut oats are oats that have been cut into 2-3 pieces, they are different in texture. Cooking time is 20-25 minutes.
xoxo


Gluten by Dr. Mark Hyman

After seeing the TED speech by Dr. Mark Hyman, I also came across this video where he talks about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. A lot of people are sensitive or allergic to gluten without even knowing it. Eating gluten for many years can be the cause of several diseases.

I believe our body doesn't need gluten, a healthy diet based on 'De Voedselzandloper' is 99% gluten-free (with a few exceptions that you can perfectly replace by gluten-free equivalents). A healthy diet based on vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes, fish,... gives you all the nutrients you need to be healthy. Gluten are not necessary. I don't miss gluten in any way, in fact... I've never felt better or healthier.

xoxo
 

Healthy appetizer

If you're having guests over for drinks or dinner, offer them a healthy appetizer. Appetizers with bread or toast or chips always made me feel so bloated and so full that I was no longer hungry when dinner was served. These appetizers are super light and healthy and guilt-free! :)

Some examples are:
  • Sugar snaps
  • Carrots
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Homemade hummus
But you can of course use all kinds of vegetables.
xoxo

Healthy snack

I always get a little hungry around 4 pm, so I usually eat some fruit in between meals. I went to the market yesterday and got some fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Berries are super nutritious and powerful antioxidants and they're low in calories. A perfect healthy snack.

I love my berries with some cinnamon on top, a great combination.

xoxo



Vegetable soup with chicken meatballs

I made a big bowl of vegetable soup this morning, so I can enjoy a cup of homemade soup for lunch, dinner or just as a snack. I added some chicken meatballs to the soup (made from gluten-free low-fat ground chicken meat).

Vegetables:
1 onion
1 red bell pepper
5 large carrots
4 tomatoes
5 cherry tomatoes

Herbs:
Curcuma 
Cayenne pepper
Oregano
Herbal salt
Black pepper


xoxo

Mark Hyman at TEDMED 2010

I just finished reading 'De Voedselzandloper' by Kris Verburgh, I bought it last week and just couldn't stop reading because everything the author talks about makes total sense and is so well explained. I highly recommend this book to everyone who's interested in nutrition and how to prevent aging.  

The author, Kris Verburgh, recommended a video from a TED conference on his Facebook page. Mark Hyman discusses a "systems" approach to health care. In this 20 min speech Mark Hyman explains that the cause of the disease needs to be treated instead of all the individual symptoms. He also speaks about gluten and how they can cause several diseases. Very interesting, a must see!

xoxo


Cinnamon, my favorite herb

Cinnamon is a super herb, it helps to stabilize and regulate blood sugar (slowing the absorption of food so that you feel full longer), this is great if you want to lose some weight.

Cinnamon adds a sweet flavor to your food, which can help discourage cravings. I use cinnamon to replace sugar or other sweeteners. I add cinnamon to my oatmeal porridge, chai latte, non-dairy yoghurt, etc.

Cinnamon also helps move fat from the liver so that the body can use it for energy. Metabolizing fats more readily also lowers bad cholesterol. And Cinnamon has also been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.

And last but not least, Cinnamon tastes and smells delicious! I love it!

xoxo

Vegetarian ovendish

The following vegetarian ovendish is my sister's recipe. This one is not gluten-free but the bulgur she used can easily be replaced by the gluten-free equivalent: quinoa!
The ingredients are:
  • Bulgur (or quinoa when gluten-free)
  • Parsnip
  • Red onion
  • Sweet potato
  • Lemon grass
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Homemade dressing (lemon juice, maple syrup, olive oil and capers)
Looks good, doesn't it? xoxo

 http://www.charlotteboeyden.be/

Pickled herring salad

Fatty fish helps keep your heart healthy, I'm talking about fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and herring. These fatty fish are good sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. I made a delicious salad for lunch with pickled herring fillets.
  • Green lettuce
  • Spinach leaves
  • 1/3 red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cucumber
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 3 cherry tomatoes
  • 2 small pickled herring fillets
  • Lemon juice
  • Herbal salt
  • Pepper
  • Basil
Cheers to a healthy heart! xoxo


Breakfast on a public holiday

Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day, especially on Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday like today! I love taking my time for breakfast and awakening, I usually get up 30 minutes earlier than I have to just because I hate to rush in the morning.

I made myself a delicious breakfast this morning:

Gluten-free oatmeal (with unsweetened soy milk). I added some almond flakes, coconut flakes, chia seeds, ground flax seeds and cinnamon. Super healthy and rich in soluble fibre.

I also had a few fresh strawberries, a glass of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and a cup of Kusmi Tea (green tea, orange & cinnamon flavor).

xoxo


Salmon with broccoli

Salmon is a perfect food to substitute meat, it is a good source of protein and healthy omega 3 fatty acids. Dark green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, green beans etc are packed with chlorophyll, vitamins A and C. They are high in fiber and low in calories, this makes them perfect food to keep your heart healthy and your waistline slim.

I enjoyed a piece of salmon tonight (baked in extra virgin olive oil) with thyme and rosemary, accompanied by some steamed broccoli. Boiling removes many of the vitamins and minerals from this vegetable, so steaming is the preferred method for cooking broccoli. Just so you know, if you eat broccoli, you might as well get the most from it :)

xoxo


Ratatouille

Ratatouille is usually served as a side dish, but can also be served as a meal on its own. I love it, a big bowl of veggies! I make ratatouille quite often and when I do, I usually make a large portion for a few days and take some to work for lunch. Each time I feel a little hungry I have a small portion of ratatouille, a healthy snack. Helps me stay away from sweet treats :)

Tomatoes are the key ingredient of my ratatouille. Next to tomatoes I add zucchini, eggplant, red bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and lots of herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, sea salt and pepper).

I like to add some Tofu, Tempeh or Quorn to ratatouille. These vegetarian meat replacers add some protein to the dish and make you feel full longer. This time I added Quorn, a meat alternative that is high in protein and dietary fibre and low in saturated fat and salt. Yummy.

xoxo




Veggie zucchini pasta

Pasta sounds healthy but it's actually not. Carbs are bad boys (cookies, bread, pasta, ...) that raise our blood sugar level. That's why I try to avoid carbs as much as possible and replace them by vegetables, fruit, nuts & seeds, lean white meat (chicken or turkey), oily fish (e.g. salmon), meat replacers such as tofu and quorn, etc.

For dinner I made veggie zucchini pasta with tomatoes, spinach and fennel. Delicious with a little extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, pepper and oregano. And I'm also sippin on a glass of organic red Merlot.

I'm also proud to show you my PAM cooking spray, 100% organic canola oil. PAM is a non-stick spray with 0 calories. It's great to moisten your pan and cook fat-free. 

xoxo




Soy cinnamon café latte

I love coffee, I used to drink coffee everyday. I was in love with Starbucks latte's. But I kicked off from them, now when I go to Starbucks I order a Chai Latte with soy milk, my new addiction :). But today I treated myself to a homemade soy cinnamon café latte.
  • Unsweetened organic soy milk foam (made with Nespresso aeroccino)
  • Nespresso 'Roma' coffee
  • 2 drops pure vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
I'm in love! 
xoxo



'De voedselzandloper' by Kris Verburgh

De voedselzandloper, the first 'what to eat, what not to eat' book that makes total sense! Kris Verburgh explains that eating healthy keeps your body young and prevents diseases. Losing weight is not the main goal, it's a nice side effect.

He explains why the food pyramid isn't correct and he replaces it by a new model 'de voedselzandloper', the upper side contains unhealthy food that we should avoid, the lower side contains healthy food that we should try to eat as often as possible. The lower side gives you healthy alternatives. E.g. replace milk products by soy milk or almond milk, replace bread by oatmeal, replace sugar by stevia or agave, etc.

I recommend this book to everyone who's interested in a healthy lifestyle! For more information, go to http://www.voedselzandloper.com/.

xoxo