Joyous Food

I've been living a healthier lifestyle since September this year.  I am on the verge of becoming 'preachy' about it as I have gained so much by doing so.  However, I am not a counsellor or a nutritionist or physical trainer so my experience is purely 'my experience' and will be different for anyone who wants to change the way they eat, think, move, feel etc.,  For me the practice of changing my diet and physical activity and the way I 'see' the World, so far, has been positive.

I am excited about discovering foods that are new to me such as chickpea flour (which I commented on in my previous post) and the joy of cooking from scratch at every meal, savouring each step of the way.  The taste of toasted pecans in a warm salad is heavenly! 

The photo above is a pumpkin loaf which I made from following a recipe in my Chickpea Flour cookbook.  It is delicious, not too sweet and tastes like a lightly spiced gingerbread.  It is topped with pumpkin seeds or 'pepitas' as they are referred to in the book.  This is definitely a 'treat' cake and not something I would eat every day as I am trying to minimise the amount of sugar I consume.

Today I made a warming split pea soup with leek and sweet potato for lunch and feel truly nurtured as I eat this wholesome and nutritious meal. 

I feel blessed to be able to choose from a wide range of ingredients from the stores and privileged that I can pick and choose what I eat.  I never take this for granted.

Alternative Breakfast #1

I struggle with finding healthier options for breakfast finding it easier to reach for a cereal bar or toasted bread.  The problem with that is I have a mid morning crash and crave something sweet.  Hopefully today's breakfast will help to stave off cravings until lunchtime.

So, here is my recipe for:

Alternative breakfast #1

Cooked quinoa (keen-wah)
Full fat organic yogurt
Fresh pear, chopped
Pumpkin seeds
Ground cinnamon

Vary the quantities as you wish.  I used about 50/50 quinoa/yogurt, half a pear and a sprinkle of seeds and cinnamon.

New Ways of Eating

My felt animal making for the jointed toys is on hold.  I have the felt, the glass eyes, and even the cotter joints but the felt is not standing up well to being over handled, turned inside out etc.  I will have to use this felt for easier projects and get a thicker felt to withstand intricate manipulation!

In the meantime I have been busy doing other things such as getting used to new food supplies.  Ever since I changed my eating habits from 9th Feb this year I have a store cupboard of new (to me) foods which include such things as coconut flour, chia seeds, coconut oil, cocoa nibs etc.  Today I made a pizza using the chia seeds with ground almonds to make a base and then added a topping of mozzarella cheese, spring onions, chili flakes, ground black pepper, rocket and Parmesan shavings drizzled with olive oil.  It was up to the standard of being served at a fancy bistro without the exorbitant price tag.  I got the recipe from the Ideal Home magazine (March issue).  I can see this recipe becoming a regular make for me.

Today is a bit gloomy although I was able to cut the grass on Saturday before the rains came!  I have so many things I want to do inside and outside the house including  (outside) growing water lilies in pots - how wonderful would that be? 

I hope today is the start of an inspiring early spring week for you all.  Spring - isn't it a wonderful season with so much hope and potential?