'But what do you eat?' (Part 2)

Colourful, tasty, healthy and animal-free examples from a vegan food day (to answer your questions and hopefully inspire!) ...

Making up a superfood breakfast bowl starting with flax/oat/coconut/blueberries...

I use nut milks for breakfast but recently I used a new coconut milk and it was sooo tasty!













A new smoothie for the collection... made simply from coconut water, banana and dates.

Teamed with avocado/houmous/clean peanut butter on rice cakes/rye bread makes a simple but nutritious lunch.

Delicious dinner!

This is a vegan pizza from Zizzi's.

YUM.

Dairy-free dessert

Homemade 'bounty' bars using coconut, coconut oil and cocoa and maple syrup.

Filling the 'Bounty' void in my life....

Making 'Raw vegan Bountys'

I LOVED Bounty bars before I became a vegan. So easy, vegan, healthy versions? YES PLEASE. I came across these on Instagram and the recipe/method is on: laradelilah.wordpress.com

For mine I used:

Inside:
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp maple syrup

 Which you blend using a food processor, coconut first.





 


Outside:
3 tbsp coconut oil
2 1/2 tbsps cacao powder
1 tbsp maple syrup

 Which you mix while briefly freezing the coconut mixture.






I was munching on them straight away but I think they actually taste the best after 30mins/an hour in the fridge when the chocolate coating is firm and crackable :D. (I also recommend not eating four in one go...)

They tasted like, well Bountys :) seriously delicious, much healthier and without any animal products.Win.

Abs crunch-free workout

Working the core

We're often led to believe that lots of stomach crunches will equal flat stomach (and they do help...). However, doing lots of crunches can put a big strain on the lower back and aren't as effective as full-body core exercises. Also 'spot reduction' of body fat is a myth, fat is burned through cardio wherever the body chooses to access it (annoyingly)! 

For a long, strong, lean core, plank exercises and pilates moves are best. I'm often guilty of reverting to crunches as they're actually easier... so I put together a simple (ish) crunch-free core workout I could stick to and follow for the next month.

1. 
a) 30 second forearm plank. (Tip: Don't splay elbows it works the abs more!)
b) Up to full plank and lift each hand off the floor and to the side and back x 4, then each foot off the floor (raise slightly) x 4. (See above pic)
c) Bring each knee in to opposite hand x 8.

2. 
a) Side plank 10 seconds with extended arm. Follow with 4 twists (arm curls around waist and back up to stretch). 
b) Repeat on other side.

Example: http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/10-best-exercises-women/slide/3

3. On back, legs in table top position, arms held up, do pilates 'dead bug' extension: stretch away opp hand to leg x 8. 
Example: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/strength-training/other-health-benefits-pilates-exercise 

4. Hold back bridge 10 seconds. Keep pelvis steady and abs tight for the below:

a) Extend each leg out x 8. 
b) Raise each knee x 8. 
Example: https://www.exercise.com/exercise/shoulder-bridge-prep 

5. Pilates straight leg stretch x 10 each side.
Example: http://www.athleta.net/2010/04/05/pilates-on-the-go-single-straight-leg-stretch/ 

Update:
After 3 weeks (with regular cardio) and I definitely can see and feel a difference! 
After 6 weeks am convinced by this method :) And all crunch-free!

Vegan Banana and Cacao chip muffins

I was so excited to make this from the moment I saw the recipe... especially as it seemed so easy to make and I haven't had any form of muffins for a long time.

These were based on The Blonde Vegan's recipe for Vegan Banana and Cacao Chip Muffins.

My Cacao nibs actually arrived while they were in the oven... so I used small broken-up dark chocolate in the mix... then sprinkled with Cacao nibs over the top.

The mix doesn't need a blender or food processor (highly convenient) just lots of arm work with a fork for mashing up the bananas :)

This mix goes in the oven for 20 mins and voila! These are mine cooling (very proud)!
 

They are tasty, gooey, filling and satisfy a sweet tooth too. Thanks to The Blonde Vegan and Deliciously Ella for providing such 'clean' healthy and vegan treats!

Vegan en France

I had a few days away in France visiting my friend who had recently become a vegan, so not only did I eat the best I ever have in France because we ate at home, but we came up with some delicious vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free creations!







Vegan Crêpes

I haven't had crepes for many years thinking they weren't possible... but they are! No egg-replacer is needed (oil works) and they were wholesome tasting but also a treat with extra honey or nut butter. Mine were made with buckwheat which is a great gluten-free alternative.

Some example recipes (that we looked at adapted) below:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegan-crepes/
http://theeverydayveggie.com/super-simple-vegan-crepes/
http://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-crepes/

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

This is such an easy and healthy version of a yummy desert I'm surprised it's not made more! We used avocados, honey, bananas, coconut milk and cacao.
 

Recipe adapted from: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11379/the-best-vegan-chocolate-mousse-youll-ever-put-in-your-mouth.html 

Au revoir la France... À bientôt, j'espère!

Vegan peanut butter chocolate and coconut balls!

I have wanted to make these for a long time, as I love coconut, peanut butter and chocolate and these are like 'healthy bounty bars'. Deliciously Ella had the simplest recipe with ingredients I had or could adapt from her Raw Coconut and Cacao Bites.

As well as being vegan and gluten-free, they are a healthy combination of lots of protein, good fats and natural sweetness, with no refined or added sugar. This makes them perfect both for pre/post workouts and for sweet tooth, after-meal cravings!

I used coconut, organic peanut butter, almonds, dates, cocoa and olive oil for my version.

You can eat them straight away but they really firm up after being in the fridge so I enjoyed them even more the next day.

These are perfect snacks/sweets for me and I can't wait to make more!

The luxury vegan

One of the reasons I started this blog was to bring out the 'sparkle' in the vegan lifestyle, because there are beautiful vegan creations out there. Dairy-free can still be delicious, deserts can still be luxurious, daily treats can still be had... and not involving animals and being naturally healthier surely makes them even more appealing? Well, you can decide... but here are some examples of doing vegan the luxury way and I heart them!

Tesco Finest

This year I have seen more vegan and dark chocolate Easter Eggs than ever! But this Easter Egg is stunning as well as vegan. Dark chocolate sprinkled through with gold lustre. Rich in more ways than one ;)

My own creation

I turned this strawberry sorbet (naturally vegan) into a nutritious desert bowl by adding melted dark chocolate, cashew nuts, fresh blueberries and milled flaxseed. This looks gorgeous, the chocolate breaks beautifully and compliments the fruit and nuts perfectly. Yum!

This crafted soya chai latte is pretty in itself, but chai tea plus frothy soya plus lots of cinnamon is a stolen moment of bliss <3