Monday, April 18, 2011

Marinated Zucchini "Pasta" Salad

Greetings! I hope you are having a wonderful start to the week!

Last week on my birthday, my mom and I ventured to Santa Monica for hot yoga, followed by a delightful lunch at Planet Raw!

We had the most amazing dishes! My mom ordered the "Avo Sandwich" (avocado, lettuce, tomato, & caramel onions w/ honey mustard dresing on flax)...and I had the Green Curry Pasta (zucchini pasta mixed w/ thai nut curry cream, topped w/ mango noodles).

Anyways, ever since last Thursday, I cannot stop thinking about how much I want to re-create the Green Curry Pasta dish! I decided it was time to finally order a spiralizer to make the "zucchini noodles." However, to my happy surprise... I received one in the mail! Thank you to my sister, Alyssa (check out her blog "Alyssa's Cooking Adventures" for a perfect birthday present! :)

So yesterday, I made a version of my sister's Raw Marinated Mushroom & Broccoli Zucchini Pasta to try out the spiralizer! It was so delicious, light, and refreshing! Completely raw, vegan, and yummy! My friend, Jenn, enjoyed it as well!





































Marinated Zucchini "Pasta" Salad

Ingredients:
- 4 zucchinis (mine were small)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tbsp agave
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos
- optional: pinch of red pepper flakes (I didn't use)

Directions:
Put zucchini through a spiralizer to make noodles (If you don't have a spiralizer, use a vegetable peeler to make "noodles"). Add in mushrooms, broccoli, and bell peppers. Combine agave, olive oil, liquid aminos together, then add to the pasta salad. Mix with (clean!) hands. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes (optional).

Serves: 4

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Cake Batter Milkshake!

Tomorrow I will be 25! Wow, I almost feel like an 'adult!'

Anyways, I wanted to celebrate (a day early) with this healthy Cake Batter Milkshake!

It tastes amazingly close to 'real' cake batter, but it is completely healthy! Yet, it seems so 'naughty' and delicious, that I just had to share it with you! ♥

I want to give a huge "thank you!!" to the talented and creative Chocolate Covered Katie for the original recipe!



Cake Batter Milkshake
  • 1 banana, frozen
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
  • 2/3 cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoons coconut flour (for cake-y-ness)
  • Optional: sprinkles
Blend ingredients together. Add some sprinkles, pre-blending, and then add more on top!

A recipe for vegan coconut whipped cream can be found here!

Have you made any healthy 'cake batter' recipes?

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Citrus Snap Peas and Carrots!

Hello wellness lovers... I hope you are having an amazing week!

Any exciting plans for this weekend? Jon and I are going to Disneyland (again!) Haha... we have annual passes, so we need to use them! We actually haven't been in 2 months...

Anyways, on to today's healthy deliciousness!

The other day I was flipping through the latest issue of First magazine, and a recipe caught my eye! It totally had "spring" written all over it! The original recipe called for butter & honey, but I wanted to substitute coconut oil and agave instead.

Also, I made it without fresh parsley and shallots, because:
a.) I like easy, fast, & simple.
b.) It didn't seem like they would taste that amazing with coconut oil.
b.) I find it annoying to make trips to the grocery store for 1 or 2 items. (I am sure you can relate!)




Citrus Snap Peas & Carrots


Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds baby carrots
  • 12 ounces sugar snap peas
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon agave
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • salt (I used Himalayan)
Directions:
  1. In large saucepot over high heat, filled with (lightly) salted boiling water, cook baby carrots for 4 min., or until crisp-tender, adding sugar snap peas after 2 min. Drain.
  2. Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add carrots, snap peas, agave, and lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Yum! Enjoy over rice, quinoa, or other grain for a light & healthy meal.

I hope you are having a great day! :)

Health & Wellness News & Inspiration:
Top 10 Superfoods for Spring- Shine
15 Powerful Reasons to Go Veg- Care2
Spring Veggies Tasty, Healthful- AuburnPub.com
Is Maple Syrup a Superfood?- eCanadaNow
Cat Yoga- YouTube