Vegetarian Week

On Monday December 16th marked the official first day of my vegetarianism. I always feel that after eating meat at dinner, I feel super full and bloated. I also began thinking of the meat we eat as "rounded up dead animals" and it made me feel gross to eat it.

Now this isn't a permanent thing; at first I wanted to try it as a 7 day experiment, but after my 7 days were up, I decided I felt better not eating meat, and it was not difficult at all! There are so many vegetarian options I can eat, and I love creating healthy meals.

Today, Thursday December 26th, is currently day 11 meat free. Yes, I even opted out of having turkey dinner to Christmas last night.

My family doesn't agree with my decision to not eat meat, but it's my choice not theirs. I don't know how long I plan to do this, and it does not matter. I'll do it whenever I want, and if one day I want to eat meat, then I will, because it's my life and my body. But for now, i'm perfectly content not eating it.

Here are some meals I put together for dinner. I always post my breakfasts,lunch, and snacks, so I thought i'd show you guys the dinner photos.

The meals consist of Salads (because i'm obsessed), stir-fry, and sandwiches.

Salads are: Spinach, cucumber, tomato, avocado, sometimes a boiled egg, pecans and strawberries.
The one sandwich is from East Side Marios
My homemade sandwich is: Whole grain bread, mayonnaise, mustard, spinach, cucumber and tomato.
The stir fry is: Brown rice cooked and veggies cooked with organic coconut oil. (Broccoli, carrots, asparagus, celery, red pepper, lime)

Cinnamon Yogurt Pancakes

 

 These pancakes right here are probably one of the best I have ever made. They were so chewy and tasty that i didn't even need any syrup on them. The secret new ingredient - Greek yogurt. 

No, I've never put yogurt in my pancake mix before, but i promise you, it is life changing. It adds such textures causing the pancakes to be gooey and chewy, not to mention flavour. Mix that with some honey and cinnamon, and you've got yourself some bomb pancakes.

1. In a mixing bowl, mix 1/2 of flour, and 1 cup of oats
2. Add in 3/4 of water
3. As you're stirring, the mixture, add in 2 tbsp of Greek Yogurt
4. Add in 2 tbsp of Honey
5. Add 1 tbsp of Cinnamon
6. Add 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
7. Cook on burner until they look good
8. Add toppings such as: blueberries, banana, blackberries, Greek yogurt, and cinnamon!

French Toast

When I'm away at school, i never get to indulge in French Toast because I can't make any! My cafeteria does have some in the mornings sometimes, but i don't know how they make them, and i like to make the healthy version myself. So when i do come home, you can imagine what the first two things i make are: pancakes and french toast.

This right here is a healthy recipe for french toast so you can enjoy this wonderful breakfast without having to worry about eating poorly.

1. Start off by getting a wide/flatter bowl that can hold a piece of bread nicely without folding at the sides.
2. Crack 2 eggs into it.
3. Pour in 1/4 cups of almond milk, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, and 1 tsp. of vanilla extract.
4. Mix it all together really well.
5. Take a piece of whole grain bread, and dip it front and back in the mix
6. Once it's soaked, stick it on your frying pan (greased with coconut oil, temp 350 degrees)
7. Do this again with a second piece and however many more you would like.
8. Let them cook until you are satisfied with the look, and they are no longer soggy.
9. For your toppings, add honey Greek yogurt, and fresh fruit.
10. Optional: Add icing sugar and maple syrup.

Festive Oatmeal

 With Christmas coming up and all, my mother decided to bring out the festive bowls and plates. As i was making my breakfast this morning, i came across this cute little festive bowl, and got a genius idea. Since i am so indecisive when it comes to breakfast, i decided that, since this little bowl has a perfect divider through the middle, that i would put oatmeal in one half, and yogurt and granola on the other. 

The oatmeal is cooked regularly with all natural peanut butter and banana on top. On the right side, i added a layer of honey Greek yogurt, then added almond granola, raspberries and kiwi. This was so simple and scrumptious because i could enjoy two different flavours in one bowl.

Have a happy holidays! 

Watermelon & Lime Smoothie

Feeling hot in the summer? Want something cool and refreshing? This Watermelon and Lime smoothie is the answer to both those things! It is tasty, healthy, and will satisfy that thirst for refreshments. All you need is watermelon, pineapple, raspberries, ice, and lime!

1. 2 cups of cut up watermelon
2. 1 cup of pineapple
3. 1/2 cups of frozen raspberries
4. 1/2 cups of ice
5. Squeeze in a bit of lime 

Mini PB sandwhiches

This simple snack is yummy and healthy! People often ask me if peanut butter is unhealthy, and most with think so, but peanut butter actually is GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Of course i don't mean consuming a whole jar with a spoon in one night, but if you have 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter each day, it is good for you. Peanut butter contains monounsaturated fats that your body needs. A recent study found that insulin-resistant adults who ate a diet high in monos had less belly fat than people who ate more carbohydrates or saturated fat.

Also, numerous studies have shown that people who regularly include nuts or peanut butter in their diets are less likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes than those who rarely eat nuts

Peanut butter can actually help you lose weight because it's packed with nutrition, and keeps you feeling full longer, causing you to eat less. It also has a yummy taste, so if you're craving something sweet, you can have peanut butter instead (remember, in moderation)

Don't believe me? Check out the links below!


http://www.prevention.com/food/smart-shopping/healthy-eating-why-peanut-butter-good-you

http://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-peanut-butter-diet

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/Is-peanut-butter-healthy

Buttermilk Pancakes

For these pancakes, i just used the original buttermilk pancake mix. The recipe isn't as extravagant as the photo, it's just the decorating and toppings that took time. 

1. 1 cup of buttermilk pancake mix
2. 1 cup of water
3. 1 egg
4. Mix in a bowl, and cook on the pan until they look ready
5. Cut up fresh fruit such as bananas and strawberries
6. Layer the bananas in between the pancakes 
7. Add your fresh fruit and chocolate chips on top
8. Syrup is optional

Hope you guys enjoy it as much as i did!

Katrinas Granola Bites

I'm quite proud of myself for thinking up this quick little recipe.

1. Get a bowl, and pour 1/2 cups of  oats into it
2. Pour 1/2 cups of granola in
3. On a plate, cut up almonds, cashews, and dried cranberries
4. Pour them into the bowl
5. Eventually add in a total of 4 and a half tbsp of peanut butter. Mix in slowly, and stir well
6. Get a pan, grease it, and roll them into little balls and place them on the pan 
7. You should be able to make 10 small balls
8. Cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes
9. Let them cool
10. Refridgerate for 10 minutes

1 granola bite = 87 calories
2 granola bites = 174 calories 

Katrinas Overnight Oats

Everybody makes their overnight oats differently. A lot of people get the term confused, and often ask me "why are they called overnight oats?" or "where can you buy overnight oats" and the answer is very simple:
It's just oats soaked in water or almond milk, and left overnight in the fridge to get a different texture and result.

1. Get a jar
2. Get a bowl. Pour 1/2 cups of oats into the bowl, and add water or almond until the texture is to your liking.
3. Put greek yogurt on the bottom layer of the jar
4. Pour granola as the second layer
5. Add almonds, cashews, blueberries, and strawberries
6. Add another layer of greek yogurt
7. Pour in your oats from the bowl.
8. Add more fruit to top it off

and wa la, simple overnight oats, that taste heavenly in the morning, and are quick and convenient if you're in a hurry.

SLC Wrap

Strawberries, Lettuce, and Cucumber in one wrap!? Outstanding. I was snacking on some fruit and veggies outside by the pool when i came up with the idea of putting all the things i was eating into one wrap; so i did.

 This delicious wrap can be made with white, whole wheat, or spinach bread, and you can add whichever kind of sauces you prefer. All i did for mine was add hummus, mustard, lettuce, tomato, cut up cucumbers, strawberries, and finished it off with cottage cheese.

Fold your sides carefully, and roll it up so nothing falls out of the ends. Stick a tooth pick in the center to hold it all in place. This wrap will have your taste buds exploding with flavour from all the different veggies and fruits inside.

Banana Chocolate Smoothie

This pretty little smoothie is quite healthy and delicious. You first need to start possibly a day in advance by cutting up the fruit prior, and freezing it. Cut up bananas and strawberries, and leave them in the freezer for at least 12 hours. When it's time, take your fruit out, and get ready to blend it.

1 frozen banana
5 frozen strawberries
2 tbsp Greek yogurt
1 tsp of cocoa/cacao

Blend all together until you get a thick, creamy mixture.

Oatmeal Pancakes

 

Hello everyone! So my new favourite breakfast is oatmeal pancakes.  I recently created this recipe while enjoying the love for my two favourite breakfasts: pancakes, and oatmeal. It was quite simple to combine the two together and end up with a mouth watering result. 

1. Preheat your stove or burner to 350 degrees, and get a mixing bowl.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of dry oats in.

3. Crack one egg

4. Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract

5. Add 2 tsp. of cinnamon

6. Add 2 tsp. of peanut butter.
7. Mix it all together and pour onto pan like regular pancakes.
8. Keep checking to see when they need to be flipped.

The recipe should make about 4 small pancakes, or 2 large ones.