tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88850692422490919032024-02-19T17:07:53.719+00:00 Ohlalavegan!A place to find and share delicious recipes and worldwide reveries.Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-20999533651107295222014-08-27T19:55:00.001+01:002014-08-27T19:59:09.370+01:00Kind Mama & Baby Essentials - My Guest Post on Alicia Silverstone's blog <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">38 weeks pregnant</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">For the second time, a big thank you to Alicia Silverstone for posting my guest post on her blog <a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/" target="_blank">The Kind Life</a>. My <a href="http://thekindlife.com/blog/2014/06/kates-first-pregnancy/" target="_blank">last guest post</a> talked about my experience of pregnancy and Alicia's latest book The Kind Mama, this new post is about preparing for mamahood with a list of planet and budget friendly baby essentials. Below is the post from The Kind Life, and <a href="http://thekindlife.com/blog/2014/08/kind-lifer-kates-mama-baby-essentials/" target="_blank">here</a> is the link to it. </span></div>
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<i>"In <a href="http://thekindlife.com/blog/2014/06/kates-first-pregnancy/" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.3s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">my last post</a> here on The Kind Life I talked about how Alicia’s new book <a href="http://thekindlife.com/the-kind-mama/" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.3s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</a> helped me create my own baby essentials list, cutting out the stuff that just goes to empty our wallets and produce more waste. Several of you kind lifers said you’d be interested in me sharing the list, I am really grateful for your interest and am very happy do so!</i></div>
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<i>I am pregnant with our first baby, this is a new adventure for my man and I, and I am sure it will be a learn-as-we-go process, so just to say this is very much a tentative list and we may find in hindsight we’d do it all completely differently, and that’s ok. This list is based on advice from friends and family, my own extensive research, and information from Alicia’s book <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</span>. Pregnancy and parenting are all about following our instincts and making choices that feel right to us – this is our list, it may not be right for anyone else, but if along the way this post inspires you to find just one or more ways in which you might like to make your parenting style more environmentally-friendly, then you’ve made my day <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://thekindlife.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></i></div>
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<i>Remember you can get almost all of these items second hand through friends or the internet!</i></div>
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<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><i>For mum</i></strong></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Breastfeeding essentials:</strong> 1) a couple of maternity bras and tank tops, 2) a light cotton breastfeeding blanket for times when you might want a little privacy, 3) cloth nursing pads, 4) an electric breast pump, 5) a few BPA-free anti-colic system glass baby bottles and 6) small glass mason jars to store your milk without using plastic bags.</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Food, food, wonderful food! :</strong> Pre-prepared healthy vegan snacks and frozen meals so you don’t need to worry about cooking in those first days after baby arrives, have some healthy snacks in your hospital bag as well. <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</span> has a whole section full of healthy yummy recipes to inspire you, and then of course there’s <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Life</span> recipe book as well that I love!</i></div>
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<strong style="font-weight: bold;"><i>For baby</i></strong></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Cloth diapers:</strong> This is the option we’re going for, from the research I’ve done I’m tempted to go with those that fasten with snaps and have more coverage than the ones with inserts. Alicia suggests some good eco-friendly brands in <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</span>. What are your suggestions kind lifer mums?</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Burp cloths .. a lot of them:</strong> They don’t need to be purpose-marketed or even new, you can even make these yourself easily by re-using old cotton clothing items or handkerchiefs.</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Baby clothes:</strong> The top 4 golden rules: 1) go for cotton and natural fabrics, 2) don’t get too many as you won’t need as much as you think, 3) avoid newborn sized clothes as they will often be too small from day 1 or be outgrown in no time and, last but not least, 4) second hand is best – charity shops are full of nearly new baby clothes and friends and family will be all too happy to give you their hand-me-downs!</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Baby skin products:</strong> baby wipes are not only expensive and polluting but will often give babies skin rashes because of the nasty ingredients these contain – the same goes for other baby skin products, the fewer unpronounceable ingredients the better. Alicia has some good recommendations in <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</span>on how to avoid and treat skin irritations using natural products and even breast milk! Once baby’s big enough for soap, Dr Broner’s Baby Mild Castille Soap is apparently a good green option.</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Baby’s pharmacy kit:</strong> 1) the baby nose cleaner, I hear the aspirator one works better than the bulb syringe one, 2) a soft ended baby thermometer, 3) a pair of small round edged nail scissors, 4) homeopathic remedies</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Getting out and about – Strollers, carriers and car seats:</strong> there are enough options out there to make anyone go insane trying to pick one! There is no single perfect answer that works for everyone’s needs so go with what feels best for you and your baby, remembering there will no doubt be a good second hand option out there for what you need. We love the idea of baby wearing, there are many carrier options out there, ideally try them out once you’re baby is born to see what works best for you and your partner. As for strollers, our main decision has been to not get overwhelmed into buying a top-of-the-range-massive-fancy-all-in-one-spaceship-like stroller, we’re not planning on taking our baby to the moon! For car seats the most important factor is safety, so if you get one second hand make absolutely sure that it’s never been in any accident before, check online that the model has not been recalled and don’t get one that’s older than about 5 years.</i></div>
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<i>- <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Sleeping:</strong> We aim to try co-sleeping at least for the first few months. <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kind Mama</span> is a great source of information about co-sleeping. We’d like to simply have baby in bed with us but we move around a lot and can’t be sure to always have a safe bed for co-sleeping so we’re planning to get the mini arm’s reach co-sleeper. Another good option for frequent travellers, especially those going to places with mosquitoes as we do, is the Samsonite popup bubble, for babies up to 18 months, it weighs about 5lbs and is great value for money.</i></div>
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<i>There you have it, our attempt at having a kinder, less overwhelming baby essentials list, and minimising the clutter! Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anything too important, and if I have please let me know, I would love if you fellow kind lifers, especially those of you who are already parents, would share your thoughts, input and advice on what you think of this list and your tips on how to be an eco-friendly parent!</i></div>
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<i>Kate xx</i></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you Kate!! You will find your list worked out just right. </span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We loved using snap diapers and would place the cloth inside (we never used inserts – since the whole thing will get wet anyways.) We also didn’t stick with velcro, Bear was a Houdini and could pull it off.</span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> To help keep your little one’s bum clean without filling up landfills with wipes or their skin with chemicals, use cloth such as organic cotton or repurposed t-shirts and keep a spray bottle filled with water next to the toilet. After 3 months you can mix in mild essential oils like chamomile and lavender. One of my favorite baby carriers is the </span><a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/baby-carrier/organic-collection?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bergobaby%20%2Bcarriers%20%2Borganic&utm_campaign=Brand+-+ErgoBaby+Carrier+Product_Carrier" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.3s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ergo organic baby carrier</span></a><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Thanks again Kate! "</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Thanks Alicia!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #35363a; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #35363a; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
</div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-24134326119705094322014-06-25T05:47:00.001+01:002014-06-25T05:47:15.424+01:005 simple steps to a better day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM0JpzeGlrSLoTyeGwDJjsAilbWS1wUzQS4ptRQQUOPgRrhz1BHCIIXSr1qXK4eEuEBtEqr6-x_MsNNJxhpmBOMaL96D2AArB6COY2h3ZsKShqgix8FXodMb14ehgFyCXzzMNSwb4m1r-/s1600/be+in+love+with+your+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM0JpzeGlrSLoTyeGwDJjsAilbWS1wUzQS4ptRQQUOPgRrhz1BHCIIXSr1qXK4eEuEBtEqr6-x_MsNNJxhpmBOMaL96D2AArB6COY2h3ZsKShqgix8FXodMb14ehgFyCXzzMNSwb4m1r-/s1600/be+in+love+with+your+life.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;">Do you
sometimes feel like your days slip by, one rolling into the next without you
really living or enjoying them? I do. Sometimes it’s because I am too busy
running from one thing to the next, my mind already on the following item on my
to-do-list while I’m still in the middle of doing the previous one, that’s if I
even get to my to-do-list in the first place. Other times it’s because I am
bored, and end up searching for ways of killing time by switching off and
watching TV instead of truly living in the moment. Either way, whether it’s
boredom or busyness, I’m often not fully in the present, therefore not truly
living my life to its full potential. I truly think that when it comes to this,
I am the norm, not the exception, and that so many of us suffer from not
inhabiting our lives, too preoccupied as we are with the next work project,
week end plan, programme on TV, meal to cook, place to go, thing to do.. the
list is endless.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Enough I say!
I have decided to get back to being in the moment, and stop letting life slip
away from me out of stress or boredom. Want to join me? Here are 5 very simple
steps to help you on your way. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, why
not give it a try!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">1. Rise and Shine.. early!</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We all know
the saying ‘<i>The early bird gets the worm’ </i>well let’s imagine that the
worm in this case is symbolic of you starting your day by truly focusing on
yourself, rather than just rolling out the wrong side of bed, switching on that
auto-pilot mode and mindlessly going through the motions of getting ready, not
appreciating breakfast as you gobble it down, not noticing the sunrise on the
way to work, not enjoying the music on the radio or having fun while walking
the dog. So this week, try it out, set your alarm a little earlier and follow
the 4 simple steps below, adding whatever else you want, this time is
completely yours to fill with whatever you enjoy, whether that’s exercising,
reading the newspaper, cooking or going for a walk. But remember, the rule here
is that this is <i>your</i> time, so stay well away from your personal admin or
work to-do-list and emails!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">2. Set your intentions</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You’re up,
well done! Now start off by sitting down with pen and paper for 5 minutes,
think about how you intend to live your day and write this down – this can of
course include things you want to get accomplished, but it’s more than just
another to-do-list, it’s about focusing on how you intend to approach your day,
relate to your self, and to others. If you set your intentions you are much
more likely to have the day the way you want to have. If you like you can
come back to what you wrote throughout the day, checking in to make sure you
are on the right track.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">3. Say your thank you’s!</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Take a couple
of minutes to thank someone and write this down along with your intentions.
Think of someone in your life, a friend, a colleague, the guy who sells you the
newspaper, anyone, that you would like to thank for the most meaningful or
smallest of gestures. The purpose of this exercise is to become more aware and
appreciative of those around us, for who they are as well as for what they add
to our lives. At first you’ll find it easier to thank the people you love or
appreciate, but after a while you can try and do the same for the people you
don’t get on with so well. This is when this exercise gets really powerful,
because suddenly we have to make a conscious effort to see these people as
individuals, to think about the difficulties they might be facing and recognise
their qualities. Challenges are always the best opportunities for learning and
self-growth so if nothing else, we can thank the people we find difficult for
offering us such opportunities, if we were only surrounded by people we got on
well with 100% of the time, we wouldn’t have the same space to grow and
improve!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">4. The minute meditation</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not
suggesting you light incense, sit in lotus position for a full hour and chant
buddhist hymns, unless you want to! Just spend 5-10 minutes in a peaceful and
quiet corner of your house, where you will be undisturbed. Close your eyes and
just focus on your breath, when your mind wanders simply observe this without judgment
and bring it back to your breath, accepting that your mind <u>will </u>wonder,
again and again, and that’s ok. This simple exercise will help clear your mind
and alleviate stress, and is also a good way for you to check in with yourself
and observe how you are feeling, physically and emotionally, without trying to
fix or change anything, as a lesson in observation and self-acceptance. After a
while, you’ll start recognising your breath as an anchor that is always within
reach, so throughout the day if you find yourself feeling stressed or
overwhelmed you can simply focus on your breath for a few minutes, as a way of
giving yourself a time out and space to find balance and awareness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">5. Do one thing fully</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #535353;"> </span></b><span style="color: #535353;">Chose one simple thing, it can be the
same thing or a different thing each day, like brushing your teeth, eating your
breakfast, drinking your coffee, or walking to work, and give it your full
attention. This exercise is meant to get us out of our auto-pilot mode, which
stops us from truly experiencing the moment, and after all what is a life but
an accumulation of moments?! So as an example, let’s say you’ve chosen to focus
on drinking your coffee: sit down to drink it without doing anything else, no
phones, computers, newspapers, radio, just you and your coffee. Now focus,
observe your coffee – the colour and texture of it, notice how the mug feels
between your hands, inhale and appreciate its aroma, then with each mouthful
focus on each and every flavour and sensation. You may find this incredibly
boring at first, perhaps a million other things are crowding your mind and you
are thinking about what a waste of time this is, but persevere a little and the
chances are you will soon appreciate this coffee a hundred times more than you
usually do! And if you find yourself surprised at how much more this
technique enabled you to enjoy something as simple as a cup of coffee this
morning, think about what would happen if you applied this to other things in
life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There you
have it, 5 simple steps to help you be more mindful and in the moment, I find
if I do these every morning very quickly I can feel their benefits throughout
the whole day, I feel calmer and more grounded and I appreciate my self,
others and my days much more. Try these steps out for just a few days and you
will probably notice that you will start applying their principles almost
unconsciously to other situations in your life, by being more mindful, more in
the moment, and increasingly aware of how you am thinking, feeling and relating
to others. Let me know how it goes :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And, last but
not least, remember to congratulate yourself, if you did the above steps that
means you took time for yourself, to be in your present and be more mindful of
your self, your surroundings, your life!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #649acf;">Resources</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re
interested in reading more about mindfulness try out these two books –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #535353;">‘Mindfulness:
a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world’</span></i><span style="color: #535353;"> by Mark Williams and Danny Penman<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #535353;">‘The monk who
sold his ferrari’ </span></i><span style="color: #535353;">by Robin
Sharma<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_ewbMTWyqkUpIn_8_8Ij9wIylwD8N5imujN3ZwuzuPM5qk4XEKnrgvwhr_dLmFPvCZ1FwR-kJZj3ehsOraA0yGr3qBSL9MML5qRbFuls7DJ_PmiXA6YfdIirIBRanCfJB5k6x6BnB04P/s1600/enjoy+today+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_ewbMTWyqkUpIn_8_8Ij9wIylwD8N5imujN3ZwuzuPM5qk4XEKnrgvwhr_dLmFPvCZ1FwR-kJZj3ehsOraA0yGr3qBSL9MML5qRbFuls7DJ_PmiXA6YfdIirIBRanCfJB5k6x6BnB04P/s1600/enjoy+today+water.jpg" height="640" style="cursor: move;" width="440" /></a></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-23662360905253743052014-06-22T07:44:00.000+01:002014-06-22T07:44:33.781+01:00The 3rd Trimester Begins, and Brown Rice Pudding Recipe!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 4</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time: active time 10 min + 40 min cooking</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdTeWJGdnnGBoj2mYgE42qqgfqgktkbwMFQcWLFHgu8VFYt8JbA_QexRGIAhyphenhyphenpxK1QO04fiJPRR4ID-509ot1jVDB-ERY31nwfcrfM2H5cjvu9bL1AbtkF981ZqZI3Dv2xB4YcjPIm9LN/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdTeWJGdnnGBoj2mYgE42qqgfqgktkbwMFQcWLFHgu8VFYt8JbA_QexRGIAhyphenhyphenpxK1QO04fiJPRR4ID-509ot1jVDB-ERY31nwfcrfM2H5cjvu9bL1AbtkF981ZqZI3Dv2xB4YcjPIm9LN/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Hello people, it's been a while since my last recipe post, and surprise surprise, once more it is in the breakfast/dessert category, my favorite! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Before I go on to that though, here's a quick update on all things pregnancy - I have just started my 3rd trimester, pretty exciting! I'm still feeling great, but have definitely slowed down a notch, baby bump is getting bigger by the day it seems, I find myself rolling around like a beached whale making grunting sounds whenever I try to get off a sofa or bed, to my partner's great amusement, and I have a little less energy now. The third trimester is when baby starts putting on fat and goes through an impressive growth spurt, so it's more important than ever to be eating well, and enough, increasing daily caloric intake by about 300 kcal. A valid excuse to eat more? Sounds good to me! Which brings us to today's recipe..</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic76VwZpqhoGuFg3f-crYIpFzZBGAL4DbUb-bdbl3ck9tqKwYIFi65jLngIZwcewL6De8wGIyvY9EhdQB-ZGQ1W_cHOHXGq90vKXRk3QW5_bQFA5A7Zkzmc3gIyXDCftEn2qvoAeYfy-J-/s1600/Photo+on+2014-05-08+at+09.58+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic76VwZpqhoGuFg3f-crYIpFzZBGAL4DbUb-bdbl3ck9tqKwYIFi65jLngIZwcewL6De8wGIyvY9EhdQB-ZGQ1W_cHOHXGq90vKXRk3QW5_bQFA5A7Zkzmc3gIyXDCftEn2qvoAeYfy-J-/s1600/Photo+on+2014-05-08+at+09.58+%232.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">This brown rice pudding is a perfect comfort dish for breakfast,
dessert or snack. Creamy, sweet and healthy, it's a great way to use up left over cooked brown rice. You can play around
with this recipe anyway you want to, making it more of a decadent dessert by adding chocolate chips, or a healthy breakfast, with different dried fruits and nuts and even perhaps omitting the cocoa powder. It's up to you, any which way you go, it's bound to be delicious!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Ingredients</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 cups of cooked brown rice</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">8 oz/225gr of tofu</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 ½ cups of non-dairy milk (I used hazelnut)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ cup maple syrup or other liquid sweetener*</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ tsp cinnamon + extra for sprinkling</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ tsp nutmeg</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 tsp vanilla essence</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T cocoa powder</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">optional: chopped dates, raisins, nuts, chocolate chips (I used dates & almonds)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">* For a low calorie version use a sugar
free liquid sweetener, there are even maple-flavored ones out there. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Preparation</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">In a food blender combine the cooked rice,
the tofu and the rice milk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add
the maple syrup, cocoa powder, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. Lightly oil a
baking dish and pour the mix into it. Sprinkle the dried fruits, nuts or chocolate chips, depending what you are using, on top and press them down lightly with a spoon. Sprinkle with a little more
cinnamon and place in the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until browned on
top and bubbly. Serve warm, with extra non-dairy milk or even cream if you like. </span></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-17972568585994731762014-06-05T19:28:00.002+01:002014-06-05T19:35:24.093+01:00My guest post on Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Life blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7tHldYGyjTGmy39lZzstJUupSoWioEh5NgwvC5MTrgF6E8fKSq8QKkMHWwrt-9UlhYbFyfow95T0rN2w_wz0FUOoMmn697K-Pv7giNauYm4oq5LNheULkw_w6DbyWtGvfFM-0PPeP1PC/s1600/alicia_silverstone+the+kind+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7tHldYGyjTGmy39lZzstJUupSoWioEh5NgwvC5MTrgF6E8fKSq8QKkMHWwrt-9UlhYbFyfow95T0rN2w_wz0FUOoMmn697K-Pv7giNauYm4oq5LNheULkw_w6DbyWtGvfFM-0PPeP1PC/s1600/alicia_silverstone+the+kind+life.jpg" height="546" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Fun news for Ohlalavegan today, I have a guest post on Alicia Silverstone's blog! A few days ago I was surprised to receive an email from Alicia's website community manager asking me to write a short piece on my experience of being pregnant and on my thoughts of Alicia Silverstone's new book The Kind Mama, which I mentioned in a recent post. Needless to say I was only too happy to do so, I love both Alicia's books - The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama - and her website The Kind Life and am super happy to be asked for this opportunity to contribute to it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">For those of you who don't know The Kind Life, it's a great place to find inspiration and articles about all things vegan, from recipes to animal issues to living green. Click <a href="http://thekindlife.com/blog/2014/06/kates-first-pregnancy/" target="_blank">here</a> for the link to my piece on pregnancy and The Kind Mama. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Thanks Alicia!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">:)</span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-848512878530087392014-05-23T05:05:00.000+01:002014-05-23T05:05:07.139+01:00Cherry Tomato Basil Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Serves 4</i></div>
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<i>Preparation time: 40 minutes</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6cu-NN8NeBjZ3m433P3LDlZ5LAlCJDnu2-2bOzS2PFZ4FibEt7xcRSUdpqA2akmVqaapjQljglY_KckA-7eSlQL41yibDEKwF41RrsWX8bJCV4MPeibwStE_98BVUGGyXR1MLPiGqAzG/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6cu-NN8NeBjZ3m433P3LDlZ5LAlCJDnu2-2bOzS2PFZ4FibEt7xcRSUdpqA2akmVqaapjQljglY_KckA-7eSlQL41yibDEKwF41RrsWX8bJCV4MPeibwStE_98BVUGGyXR1MLPiGqAzG/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Today I received a beautiful veggie box,
packed with half a kilo of bright red cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, zucchinis
and salads. I love cherry tomatoes but half a kilo, for just 2 people? I had to find
something to use up a few, and decided to try out a cherry tomato basil soup,
that I could enjoy through the week hot or cold. I found inspiration in one of
my fav cookbooks, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Candle-Cafe-Cookbook-Enlightened/dp/0609809814" target="_blank">The Candle Café Cookbook</a><u>,</u> changing up their <i>Tomato Basil Bisque </i>recipe by omitting the beet, adding courgettes and replacing tomatoes with cherry tomatoes. Success! Refreshing as a chilled soup in the
midday heat of Myanmar, or warm and hearty with chunks of wholemeal bread in
the evening, either way this soup will transport you to sunny Italy! The tofu adds creaminess and gives the soup a subtle flavour.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">If you don’t have cherry tomatoes or would
rather save them for something else then use ripe standard tomatoes instead,
they’ll do just as well. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T olive oil</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">15 oz/425 gr of cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium zucchini, sliced</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup of tofu, chopped</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium onion, sliced</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 sticks of celery, chopped</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">5 ¼ cups of vegetable broth</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup chopped fresh basil</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 t dried thyme</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">sea salt and freshly ground pepper</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">basil leaves for garnish</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPQfgO1x2TV3u3xuUaYUsnDd2glzKVttvfSwqd7PApeKRtjsjR6Y-hBE44HQOhtlRZhr-ZdBOS8a78ZFERMEjZpFGUIJyIFzMGFogZvtsTLufxJABePPVPTqVOGfZS8H1QYvZJTXj3BMN/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPQfgO1x2TV3u3xuUaYUsnDd2glzKVttvfSwqd7PApeKRtjsjR6Y-hBE44HQOhtlRZhr-ZdBOS8a78ZFERMEjZpFGUIJyIFzMGFogZvtsTLufxJABePPVPTqVOGfZS8H1QYvZJTXj3BMN/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Preparation</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the onion, garlic and celery, cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the zucchini and cook for another few minutes. Now add the tomatoes, broth and thyme. Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Transfer to a blender, add the tofu and basil and blend until smooth. Return to the pot, season with salt and pepper and serve hot or cold with basil leaves as garnish. Delicious with chunky wholemeal bread or home made garlic bread. </span></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-61483654160266864682014-05-21T02:27:00.002+01:002014-05-21T02:27:59.507+01:00Good Old Days Chick'n Mac'n Cheeze<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Serves: 6 people</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Preparation time: 1hr 20 min</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Food for the soul, this animal free and healthy version of chicken mac’n cheese takes me straight back
to childhood, and rainy days spent cosily indoors. This makes a truly delicious meal, and
I was so pleased with how the TVP ‘chick'n’ turned out as I hadn’t tried it
before. My man and I both agreed that if people didn’t know us and came for
dinner they would never have guessed this dish was vegetarian, let alone
vegan, making it a great option for when you have meat-eating guests over or a
bunch of hungry kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Photographic failure alert: While the food may have turned out scrumptious, I'm afraid the lack of natural lighting, and no doubt my own lack of photographic genius, resulted in the photos not doing this dish justice! Please take my word for it, it's much yummier than it looks on this post. Better photos next time, I promise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Ingredients</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T vegan margarine + a little extra for
greasing the baking dish</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">450gr of elbow macaroni pasta</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">150 gr of large TVP granules (the bite size
kind)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 cups of prepared non-dairy cheese flavour
sauce mix (see Note*)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 t olive oil</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">300ml of vegetable broth (water will do
fine if you don’t have any broth)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 sticks of celery, finely sliced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 small onion, finely sliced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ cup of hot sauce</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 cloves of garlic, minced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2-3 T of nutritional yeast (optional)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">sea salt and freshly ground pepper</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB">*Note:</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB"> I made the cheese sauce the lazy way, because that’s part of the
whole idea of comfort food, with a ready-to-use non-dairy cheese sauce mix by
Free & Easy, made with rice milk instead of water to make it creamier and
adding a little nutritional yeast for extra cheesiness, salt and freshly ground
pepper. If you’re feeling up for it then you could easily make your own by
following this simple 5 ingredient <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/08/18/quick-dirty-5-ingredient-vegan-cheeze-sauce-recipe-challenge/" target="_blank">recipe</a> from Ohsheglows. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4V1YmUKt8_SYrb8VGVhxcAcdz3Uy3NL14WS78iT5du_j4kLzsxnd3Lgh68yY5SOgFbDDM6lJlMsA92syrCu0t8zlyHz7LzGCOTQ8ZNO-aRaIqV6EjYUQc5WPdQgChPP1G7xDPi17SaZL/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4V1YmUKt8_SYrb8VGVhxcAcdz3Uy3NL14WS78iT5du_j4kLzsxnd3Lgh68yY5SOgFbDDM6lJlMsA92syrCu0t8zlyHz7LzGCOTQ8ZNO-aRaIqV6EjYUQc5WPdQgChPP1G7xDPi17SaZL/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Ready for the oven!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Preparation</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Soak the TVP granules in the broth or water
with a teaspoon of olive oil for about 30 minutes, or until soft. Once they
have soaked, squeeze them out with a cheese cloth, getting rid of as much
moisture as possible. Set aside. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and lightly
grease a 9-by-13 inch baking dish (I only had a small round one to hand which
wasn’t ideal).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Bring a large pot of salted water to the
boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and leave aside. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons of non-dairy
butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for
about 5 minutes, until soft. Now stir in the prepared TVP granules and garlic
and cook for a couple of minutes, then add the hot sauce and simmer for a few
more minutes. Season as desired with a little salt and freshly ground pepper. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Prepare your non-dairy cheese sauce (see
<b><u>Note*</u></b> above).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Spread out half of the macaroni pasta in
the baking dish, then top with the TVP 'chick'n' mixture and remaining macaroni. Now
pour the cheese sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle a tablespoon of nutritional yeast
over the top and some freshly ground pepper. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbly and
there you have it, creamy, delicious mac’n’cheese that everyyone will enjoy. Serve
with a side of greens for added healthy bonus points.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Half devoured in no time</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-51061608527152306512014-05-16T15:40:00.002+01:002014-05-16T15:43:28.991+01:00Chocolate Fudge Pie and 5 1/2 month pregnancy update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves: 6-8</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time: 20 minutes + 30 minutes to chill</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Delicious, luxurious chocolate fudge pie that is truly - forgive the pun - easy-as-pie to make and with none of the added nasty stuff you'll find in the store bought versions. It's actually as healthy as a chocolate fudge pie can decently allow itself to be, and of course cruelty free!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Directions</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">The filling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">12 oz / 340gr of silken tofu</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T non-dairy milk of choice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">9 oz / 250gr of non-dairy chocolate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T of liquid sweetener (I used maple syrup)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">The pie crust</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">7oz / 200gr of digestive biscuits* (check they are vegan)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T liquid sweetener (I used maple syrup)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T coconut oil</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">* For more decadence you can replace with oreo cookies </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndOcTEBnLq4U-n78lxv991cOlR1AQ4Q3iAkxBreXXaZkh0dAv4pj_p7mR1WmPUG-whI0SZqLfEREHusHMqdOjnr3bN_aStDQZQiWR_58xMGOMQvNeM7EZl8dQHe-XDYt8TRI-LFTjsDSO/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndOcTEBnLq4U-n78lxv991cOlR1AQ4Q3iAkxBreXXaZkh0dAv4pj_p7mR1WmPUG-whI0SZqLfEREHusHMqdOjnr3bN_aStDQZQiWR_58xMGOMQvNeM7EZl8dQHe-XDYt8TRI-LFTjsDSO/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" height="462" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Preparation</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F. Process the biscuits until completely ground, then add the coconut oil and liquid sweetener and process until fully combined. Fold out the pie crust mix into a pie dish, pressing down to even out the surface. Cook in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let cool completely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Melt the chocolate and blend all the filling ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour the filling into the pie crust and place in the fridge until chilled. The longer you leave it in the fridge the firmer the filling will be. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Below is a photo of me, after eating the whole chocolate fudge pie all to myself. Juuust kidding, that's baby bump, now 5 and a half months on :) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I'm happy to say that my second trimester of pregnancy is a dream, no nasty symptoms, loads of energy and the excitement of now being able to feel baby move more and more each week. Now that I have a proper bump - finally - and can feel baby kick, it seems much more real to me that I am going to be a mum soon, and that's really exciting! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I've got a new book to add to my recommended pregnancy/parenting reading list - Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Mama, a controversial and in my view an empowering and fact-full book based on attachment parenting, trusting one's self as a parent, getting and staying healthy throughout pregnancy and beyond and being kind to the planet. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">More pregnancy updates and recipes to come soon. In the meantime, enjoy that pie!</span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-57350437188345878572014-04-18T17:33:00.002+01:002014-04-18T17:33:31.876+01:00Keeping fit with a bun in the oven!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Being physically active throughout pregnancy is highly recommended and has great health benefits for both mum and baby, promotes better pregnancy outcomes and shorter labors. I've been aiming (not always successfully) to work out at least 3 times a week, combining a variety of different types of exercise. If you're pregnant, seek advice from your doctor or midwife about what exercises are adapted and appropriate for you. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Below are some of my favorite prenatal workouts with links to free online classes. I get bored if I do the same thing over and over again, so I try and change it up between yoga, pilates, toning classes and walking. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I love the website <a href="http://www.doyogawithme.com/" target="_blank">doyogawithme</a>, it has a wide selection of free yoga videos, of all types and levels and they have a few prenatal yoga videos too. I particularly enjoy Fiji McAlpine's classes, which I did regularly before I was pregnant. She has a great prenatal power flow video for women in their first and second trimesters of pregnancy, I sometimes find prenatal yoga videos a little too easy and slow, Fiji's class is more dynamic and leaves me feeling both relaxed and like I've done a proper workout.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Click<a href="http://www.doyogawithme.com/content/prenatal-power-flow" target="_blank"> here </a>for Fiji's free online prenatal yoga class. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Another free online prenatal yoga video I love, which is more adapted for third trimester of pregnancy of for women who haven't practised yoga before, is Sarah Kamrath's prenatal kundalini yoga.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Walking</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Living in Myanmar in 40°C heat, with polluted busy roads and potholed or non-existant sidewalks doesn't make for very pleasurable walks, but now that I'm back in Europe on holiday I'm loving going for walks by the lake, into town or up in the mountains. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Walking is a great form of prenatal exercise as it can be safely maintained throughout the whole 9 months of pregnancy, you can adapt the length and intensity of your walks to suit your level of fitness, walking can get your heart rate up, you don't need any expensive equipment and you can go for a walk wherever and whenever suits you. Make sure you wear comfortable supportive shoes to protect your back and knees. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Pilates</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Similar to yoga, prenatal pilates is great to increase strength, for relaxation and stretching. Try the 10 minute solution prenatal pilates classes free on youtube. You can do all of them together for a 50 minute workout or separate them out, depending on how much time and energy you have. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Part 1 - standing pilates</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Part 2 - core pilates</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Part 3 - pilates for buns and thighs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Part 4 - total body pilates</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Part 5 - pilates for flexibility</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Classes</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Find out what classes are available in your area and make sure that your instructor knows you are pregnant and has received proper training to do classes with pregnant women. I do toning classes twice a week, they're great for muscle strengthening and stamina building and can easily be adapted for pregnancy. </span></div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Tips for exercising safely during pregnancy</span></b></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">From what I've read and seen online these are the main recommendations for safe exercise during pregnancy:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">- Ask your doctor or midwife for advice</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">- Don't take up new and intense forms of exercise during pregnancy, such as running, if you were not already doing these prior to being pregnant</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">- Avoid exercises where you have to lie flat on your back as the weight from your growing uterus will put pressure on the vein that brings blood and oxygen to your baby and can lead to dizziness</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">- Listen to your body and don't measure your performance against what you were able to do before you were pregnant, pregnancy is a time to stay healthy and fit, but not a time to push yourself too far. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">- And most of all... Enjoy it :)</span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-30312322826680626282014-04-02T11:09:00.000+01:002014-04-02T11:09:00.103+01:00Peanut Butter and Chocolate Krispy Bars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This is a snack for those moments when fruit and soy yogurts just won't do the job, and you want sticky crunchy chocolatey decadence! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">2 cup puffed rice cereals or rice crackers (non sweetened whole grain)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">4 T maple syrup or other liquid sweetener</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">1/2 cup peanut or almond butter</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">1/3 cup chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">optional: seeds, nuts and dried fruits</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Use more or less of the maple syrup, chocolate and nut butter depending on how decadent you want this to be. For a healthier version replace the chocolate with raisins. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Gently heat the liquid sweetener over low heat until it simmers. Switch off heat and pour over the rice cereals (if you are using rice crackers crumble these up into small pieces). Mix in the nut butter until well combined. Wait until the mixture is completely cool then add the chocolate chips and stir in well. Spread out the mixture into a small baking tray and press gently to flatten with the back of a wooden spoon. Let it set in the fridge, then crunch and munch away!</span><br />
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-76108859451137409472014-03-21T09:22:00.000+00:002014-03-21T09:22:39.841+00:00My Pregnancy Breakfast Saviors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Growing a baby is a big deal, and it's given me a monster appetite! I don't want this to mean that I just go crazy and throw healthy eating out the window. So w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">hat do I eat now that I’m pregnant? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I’ll
be honest with you, for the first 2 months despite all my determination and
promises to self about how I was going to be a superhealthy superpregnantwoman
and exercise every day, I mostly sat in my PJs in front of House of Cards
feeling sorry for my nauseous self, sending my impressively-patient other half out to
the corner shop for endless supplies of oreo cookies to munch on
between 2 bowls of muesli. And exercise? Forget it, I wasn’t even feeling up
for cooking, no way was I going to be in the mood for lunges and sun
salutations.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, since the start of the second trimester I have
been feeling much more energetic and back on track, cooking, eating well and exercising.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This post is about my favorite and most important meal of the day - breakfast.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My ritual when I wake up is to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> make myself a warm lemon drink. S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">queeze ½ a lemon in warm water, this helps to get the digestive system started, clears out toxins and boosts the immune system.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b>Breakfast fav n°1 - Chocolate banana ice cream</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Yes, ice cream for breakfast.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAM4g2dkSWzGwD650IEvhJBZKcJCHkRiqRZIbf0qDB-sFT_gGR6YnHRBIlxntTfjmwtm4Vy11so9RRzzKFQfyT8fzK193URH1LFEnPGxS86ObebLnHPgoQ6AhcTYKT00liIGY8zBJIDoH/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAM4g2dkSWzGwD650IEvhJBZKcJCHkRiqRZIbf0qDB-sFT_gGR6YnHRBIlxntTfjmwtm4Vy11so9RRzzKFQfyT8fzK193URH1LFEnPGxS86ObebLnHPgoQ6AhcTYKT00liIGY8zBJIDoH/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This is inspired by a recipe on <a href="http://ashleysgreenlife.com/" target="_blank">Ashley’s Green Life blog</a> and I love it, this is healthy food disguised in decadence, my kind of food! I add oats, nuts and seeds to Ashley’s version to make it more filling and tick the whole grain box.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 frozen banana</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">4 frozen strawberries (you could also use other frozen berries)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ cup almond milk, or other non-dairy milk</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp ground flaxseed</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ T flaked almonds</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ T sunflower seeds</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ T of raw or unsweetened cocoa powder</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Blend all ingredients until smooth and drink up!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b>Breakfast fav n°2 - 2 Minute Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">What else. Through thick and thin I stay loyal to my love of porridge.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDITXysQKpVSVTG_beXq4l7ugAs9kncS-c7kvxdb2Q4nW7XmC2yaVnCalYfXtpGlIES1lytUmzSCwI7-oiUVnXMGwP9fxIiiZcnw49NkbO3C5iMdcHX9PCMFJzhbbmTeYXSx-wLnMBGvvZ/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDITXysQKpVSVTG_beXq4l7ugAs9kncS-c7kvxdb2Q4nW7XmC2yaVnCalYfXtpGlIES1lytUmzSCwI7-oiUVnXMGwP9fxIiiZcnw49NkbO3C5iMdcHX9PCMFJzhbbmTeYXSx-wLnMBGvvZ/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG" height="480" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup rolled oats</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 date</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">sprinkle of cinnamon</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">diced apple (stewed or fresh)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp maple syrup</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ T flaked almonds or other nuts</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">½ T sunflower seeds or other seeds</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp ground flaxseed (for Omega 3s)</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">boiling water</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Easy. Put all the ingredients, except the boiling water, together in a bowl (if you are using stewed rather than fresh apples add these in at the end). Pour in enough boiling water to just cover the oats. Cover with a plate to let it cook and absorb most of the water, stirring a couple of times. Remove the plate and enjoy.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-23566397244814010042014-03-18T10:23:00.001+00:002014-03-21T09:30:18.371+00:00My first pregnancy, being healthy, staying SANE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">For once I have a good reason for completely neglecting Ohlala for months.. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I’m 14 weeks <b>PREGNANT</b>
with our first child! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">(pause for a little celebratory dance)</span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx9mdclbSNqBMz-2C-iOaxZ2YNx4Yh4HusF47jMEyTfiz1A8pdKiZDX041mGkAYwNDKVt58DJdAmbv2XbhODyMc8WlyBchAjYynrQRkb1yqkxM3Dj7C_RJkKOHhXZVtv4F1LCvXHY-9oS/s1600/Photo+on+2014-03-13+at+14.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx9mdclbSNqBMz-2C-iOaxZ2YNx4Yh4HusF47jMEyTfiz1A8pdKiZDX041mGkAYwNDKVt58DJdAmbv2XbhODyMc8WlyBchAjYynrQRkb1yqkxM3Dj7C_RJkKOHhXZVtv4F1LCvXHY-9oS/s1600/Photo+on+2014-03-13+at+14.45.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">We found
out on the 31<sup>st</sup> December - in the morning luckily, sparing future
baby from being exposed to alarmingly high units of alcohol
that night.. - in the middle of the most wonderful Christmas family holiday in
Canada, 10 days after getting engaged. My boyfriend/fiancé proposed on a candle-lit ice rink in
good Canadian fashion, and once I said yes he gave me my first ice hockey lesson!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I’ve been pretty lucky with morning
sickness and nausea, and certainly didn’t lose my appetite (I blame people who
keep telling me <i>‘Oh it’s fine, you’re eating for two!’</i> for all the
perhaps-not-completely-justifiable-weight I’ve put on already). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">We weren't, however, spared all the crazy stressful
thoughts that no one warns you are going to creep up, scratch that, more like
ERUPT in your mind suddenly with no warning, such as :</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>‘OH MY GOD, we don’t even
have a savings account!’</i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">or, because we are different nationalities and have
been living and working all other the place</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>‘Where on earth are we going to
give birth/live/move to/find work/get visas for!?!’</i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Help. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">But in my mother’s infinite words of wisdom - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh whateeeever, it’s a
baby, you’ll figure it out!’ </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And of course she’s right.</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I’ve searched the
web for resources on vegan pregnancy and parenting and have found a few great
sites and blogs, but not so many. So, I thought,
why not get back to blogging and make Ohlalavegan a space to share the good the
bad and the ugly about being pregnant and vegan (although I promise there will
be no sight of any potential future bloated feet, cellulite and stretch marks..
so not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> kind of ugly).</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>Vegan, pregnant and healthy.. 3 words that go
together just fine. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">When we told
people we wanted a baby or that we are now pregnant we got a lot of: </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Ok, so are you going to stay vegan now that
your pregnant? What about iron/calcium/B12 etc?’</i> </span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I knew these valid and
well meant concerns would be coming our way, and to be honest even though I
100% believed from the start that being vegan, pregnant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> perfectly healthy was possible, I wanted to be properly
informed, to respond to both other people’s concerns and for my own peace of
mind. I’ve read books, blogs, websites, articles etc – some of which are listed
at the end of this blog – and here is the conclusion I have reached based on
all this: </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><b>YES! You can be an animal-loving, tree-hugging,
tofu-munching perfectly healthy pregnant woman growing a perfectly healthy
human being. Hurray.</b></i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I won't bore you with an overload of information, facts and figures about nutritional needs in pregnancy and how these can be met through a vegan diet. What I will say is that if a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> balanced plant-based
diet is not only a healthy and sustainable diet that gives our bodies and minds
everything they need in terms of macro and micro nutrients, but also helps prevent
and fight off nasty diseases (check out research by Dr. Neal Barnard, T. Colin
Campbell, Dr John MacDougall), then why-oh-why would it suddenly not be
right for pregnant women? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Of course, all pregnant women, whatever their diet, need to
pay close attention to their nutritional intake, and iron deficiency in particular is something
to watch out. The truth is, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can
</i>get everything you need on a vegan diet when pregnant. Yes, you need to put thought and care into what you eat - same as for non-vegans, but no, you won’t
need to spend the whole day stuffing your face full of seaweed (thank God) and counting
micrograms of everything you eat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I recommend <b>Holly Roberts’ ‘Your Vegetarian Pregnancy’ </b>for a useful breakdown of how you can meet these
guidelines in pregnancy on a vegan diet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>And most
importantly for me, I find it inspiring to be growing a new life
without taking life away from any other being in the process. </i></span></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">take a
pregnancy supplement (a safety net if you find yourself running to the bathroom every time someone so
much as utters the word vegetable), folic acid, and continue to take a daily B12 supplement. I make sure to get omega 3 fatty acids by having ground flax seed everyday in porridge or smoothies and walnut oil in salads. Keep in mind that there are different types of Omega 3 fatty acids, and that these foods contain only ALA fatty acids, which can be transformed by our bodies into EPA and DHA (which are otherwise found almost exclusively in fish) but it is unclear whether our bodies can convert ALA to EPA and DHA in sufficient quantities. EPA and DHA are important for fetus brain and eye development and functioning, so it is safer to take a vegan DHA supplement as well, made from micro-algae. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>And then there’s the big question ... how to deal with
other people?!</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I have to say
I’ve been very fortunate, my family and friends have been nothing but
supportive and loving, and apart from the occasional -</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘And you are taking your B12 and folic acid dear?’</i></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I have not had
to face any disapproval about my diet, I think mainly because it’s been a few
years now since I’ve been vegan and my loved ones know to trust that I take my
health and diet seriously. That and the fact that they are down-to-earth open minded people.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I have however
faced this in the past, when I first became a vegan. It wasn’t easy, but I
tried to remember that if people raised concerns and worried its because they
care about me, and in some rarer cases because people feel defensive and
protective of their own way of living, and may interpret someone just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being</i> vegan as a criticism of that.
However difficult this may be, the solutions are pretty simple really, there
are 2 things you can do:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Be informed so that you can
answer their questions and concerns in a patient and understanding way, which
will hopefully reassure them that you have looked into this seriously and know
what you are talking about.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">If solution number 1 does not
work, ignore them, you’re going to be a parent so this is just the beginning of
unsolicited advice and concern, we might as well start learning how to not let
ourselves be driven crazy by it now!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>Support, inspiration & staying sane: family, friendships and stories shared</i></span></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I have found inspiration, information and support from my family and friends, especially the women around me.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Whether or not they have kids themselves, the
people who love me and know me best are those who can find the right words to remind
me how to stay sane through this amazing but also often exhausting, confusing,
emotionally and physically draining time. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I don’t think I realised until I became
pregnant how much I would count on their support and presence through this
adventure. I am used to being independent, I’ve worked lived and travelled all
over the place, and am usually at least two continents away from them, so I
was not expecting to feel such a terrifically strong urge to nest, to be home
in familiar surroundings, with people I’ve known and loved all of my life. Living
in Myanmar (Burma) and not seeing them has been, and continues to be, tough,
but I’ve realised being far doesn’t mean to say we can’t be present for each
other. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">As for those
amazing friends who are already parents, it’s been such an absolute relief to
talk to them, to admit to the hard things I wasn’t expecting about pregnancy
and to hear them laugh kindly and say </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘<b>That
is completely normal!’</b></i></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> followed by the comfort of friends sharing their
stories, turning what seemed like mountain-sized challenges that I was facing
alone into almost friendly-looking hills that so many of us have and will
overcome. There are these stories that remind me I am not alone and this is
just a temporary challenge, and there are the stories that give me perspective,
and remind me how incredibly fortunate I am, like when my Gran wrote to me the
other day in response to a long whiny email from me complaining about nausea,
saying something along the lines of:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My dear Kate, so sorry to hear that, must be
awful for you. Find consolation in the fact that in this day and age you do not
have a dragon of a mother in law who is forcing you to wear a corset to hide
your bump like I did!’</i> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">That made me
both laugh and reflect, reflect on the fact that my gran is, like so so
many other women around me, resilient as hell, and turns painful experiences
into tales of joviality and strength. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This is exactly what another friend of
mine, who has just given birth herself, was trying to say when the other day she sent
me a picture of the inside of a kaleidoscope, as a message that by changing the
way we look at things, what we see and experience is transformed. In her words:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">‘Sending you a kaleidoscope, an imaginative super
practical tool to see things, the same things, from different perspectives, as
you wish, with just moving thoughts, and looking to the light.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErFg45cCVKSRqpsGK34TDbd3_nxX9JiyhfOZu6zQTkLL1-XzZxYNjhdkgFtWVWqP1ZLXO8MmUbUdm6lAhiSsXJBTppOokG3gNkzXolEhau2JzRD9aJIsDRadrwv-CcCVZIywf-A0sxaZY/s1600/kaleidoscope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErFg45cCVKSRqpsGK34TDbd3_nxX9JiyhfOZu6zQTkLL1-XzZxYNjhdkgFtWVWqP1ZLXO8MmUbUdm6lAhiSsXJBTppOokG3gNkzXolEhau2JzRD9aJIsDRadrwv-CcCVZIywf-A0sxaZY/s1600/kaleidoscope.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Beautiful.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">All of these
<b>stories</b>, which are essentially<b> shared between women</b>, have made one thing very
clear to me:</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>Women are incredibly strong, and solidarity and support between
us is one of the most incredible, dependable and precious things in our lives. </i></span></span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Overall being
pregnant is, I realise now, an opportunity for me to <b>reflect on what is
important to me</b>, whether that’s being vegan - as a way of being kinder to
myself and the world – or on the bonds we have with others and our shared yet
unique experiences as women. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">It has also opened my eyes to what is probably the
first and most important lesson I will learn as a future parent: <b>I can’t
control everything</b>, GASP, WAVE HANDS FRANTICALLY IN THE AIR, now calm down. Pregnancy has made that
quite clear as it has brought its lot of surprises and emotions along, many of
them conflicting with my previous expectations and idealisations of what
pregnancy should look and feel like (ie me looking like a glowing levitating
goddess in lotus position drinking a homemade green smoothie, looking exactly
like my pre-pregnancy self but way better, and with what looks like a watermelon
neatly tucked under my shirt). </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">As another
friend of mine and mum of two said to me:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Everything
in pregnancy and parenting is a phase, it always passes, and is always replaced
by something new’</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">And isn’t that a
beautiful concept. </span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">An opportunity to <b>let go</b>, relinquish control and know that
not only will things always change and evolve, but that if we just trust in
ourselves and life, and decide to look at these moments the right way through
our mental kaleidoscope, then each of these moments and changes can be full of
learning and appreciation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>Note to self:</i> I
may come back and violently scratch this last sentence out many many times over
the next few months, years, decades when I’m faced with actually getting a baby
OUT of me, or with a baby/toddler/teenager who won’t stop screaming its lungs
out, but for now I’ll focus on being my positive self and remain
blissfully oblivious to all that (just like that idealised version of pregnant me
floating in lotus position sipping a green smoothie).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">And to be honest I am - perhaps naively - looking forward to every minute of all of it. </span></span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">For other sources of information and inspiration, there are some great books, blogs and websites out there, here are some of my favorites: </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">-<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Ina May Gaskin, <i>‘Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth’</i> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">a beautiful awesome informative book about natural childbirth, written by an amazing woman and midwife</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">-<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Holly Roberts, <i>‘My vegetarian Pregnancy’</i></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">-<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Ashley’s Green Life blog: <a href="http://www.ashleysgreenlife.com/">www.ashleysgreenlife.com</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">A great blog about how to be green, including through pregnancy and parenting.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">-<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Rebecca Woolf at Girl’s Gone Child: <a href="http://www.girlsgonechild.net/">www.girlsgonechild.net</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">This is a blog about parenting more than pregnancy or veganism, but I find it’s great to get a sense of what might come after these 9 months!</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-9428431978394925602013-12-01T08:40:00.000+00:002013-12-01T08:40:33.779+00:00French Toast a la Cocobanane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Serves 3 people</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Preparation time: 15 min</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR6ZSHom17NExEjuwe0gtm3TftXXl3GcQr6gegEHLVfhHb4YCYfl_ZueB1DNEyy2LHih1s1MFMevMs7aGUC_caaVTIriS_2kJbZ9dhvrZr2NH-KK1-2JDkRzPvt-qm9k0ogUmG59XqF6r/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR6ZSHom17NExEjuwe0gtm3TftXXl3GcQr6gegEHLVfhHb4YCYfl_ZueB1DNEyy2LHih1s1MFMevMs7aGUC_caaVTIriS_2kJbZ9dhvrZr2NH-KK1-2JDkRzPvt-qm9k0ogUmG59XqF6r/s640/DSC_0246.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Happy Sunday!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My brunch loyalty lies with pancakes, but this week end it was my boyfriend's turn to choose what was on the brunch menu, and he's a French toast man. I have hunted around all of Yangon's supermarkets searching for ground cinnamon, in vain - this is now at the top of my 'to buy' list during our christmas holiday in Canada - so with no vanilla essence and no cinnamon, I raked through the cupboards looking for alternative french toast inspiration.. and coconut it was!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This coconut French toast is a delicious variation of the more traditional French toast, and of course, is vegan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">6 slices of bread, preferably a day or two old and whole grain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 pound silken tofu</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/4 cup liquid sweetener (agave syrup, maple syrup or honey)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/4 cup shredded coconut</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">3/4 cup non-dairy milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/4 cup coconut milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">coconut oil or vegan butter for frying</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>suggested toppings</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">sliced bananas</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">brown sugar or maple syrup</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">shredded coconut</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbRKREKlH1yq64y6eLGkA2AJKmkLwF6aOIgofX7rv__HKk0u63JxsB_IooaDaQBt_1NEIsZYcAJPO1muRHWWGpklTazj3uAarfCBw92YNNKswpN6G6NoDGlPIWcStVwIOHgsOYjPiPvSO/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbRKREKlH1yq64y6eLGkA2AJKmkLwF6aOIgofX7rv__HKk0u63JxsB_IooaDaQBt_1NEIsZYcAJPO1muRHWWGpklTazj3uAarfCBw92YNNKswpN6G6NoDGlPIWcStVwIOHgsOYjPiPvSO/s640/DSC_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>Preparation</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Blend all ingredients (except oil) until smooth. In a shallow dish place the slices of bread and cover with the mixture, make sure to coat both sides of the bread. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Heat the oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot add the slices of bread and fry about 4 to 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot with the suggested toppings. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQJ3obMJY1ZELnqwssD3yxeQ4sZl2HIig7gM1V5RRok-LQ4TZYGAIyQpXVKmqLzuKVz0nqOrbNRXjsCoGN20xnfws7uGjyyY56c0n2Wyw0eL-sgm1wTq3K9vLuVRdrdu88w05_wnTXpZ5/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQJ3obMJY1ZELnqwssD3yxeQ4sZl2HIig7gM1V5RRok-LQ4TZYGAIyQpXVKmqLzuKVz0nqOrbNRXjsCoGN20xnfws7uGjyyY56c0n2Wyw0eL-sgm1wTq3K9vLuVRdrdu88w05_wnTXpZ5/s640/DSC_0249.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-54403863361339379842013-11-22T04:58:00.001+00:002014-03-18T09:07:31.748+00:00Food for Thought: A Taste of Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzaHr3h6ghfB7bqSzRm-KQE6SwChdnI2zQv0QvWH0TU1DOxyYe2QfLlLs4ycjD8jHSMa72mC4squrXXkJ8MqDdC1bEzLjP22gejsUGrenkK4K1QbFHdYhct8silpYLKAN50X8dJgLM4nU/s1600/IMG_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzaHr3h6ghfB7bqSzRm-KQE6SwChdnI2zQv0QvWH0TU1DOxyYe2QfLlLs4ycjD8jHSMa72mC4squrXXkJ8MqDdC1bEzLjP22gejsUGrenkK4K1QbFHdYhct8silpYLKAN50X8dJgLM4nU/s640/IMG_2535.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">When I started this blog I imagined it to be a space where I would not only share recipes, but also rêveries/musings about whatever inspired me. So far I have filled these virtual pages with food, food and more food. Time to add some food for thought into the mix, starting by my first impressions of this beautiful country I now find myself inhabiting - Myanmar (previously known as Burma).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I have been living in Myanmar for two months now. It's incredible how time has the ability to simultaneously speed up and slow down, giving me the impression that I have been here for ages, and at other times that my plane landed just yesterday. These photos will hopefully give you a taste of the colors and spirit of Yangon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">I knew nothing about this country before my bearded canadian significant other was sent here to work, after a few months we decided I would move out there to join him. I was intrigued by this unknown place, this country that most people - including myself - know so very little about. So I packed up my belongings and the cat, and off we set on this new adventure in the heart of South East Asia. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1A42U3hwRiHXnRvBYXS4B_wecxTbjj3xo-M4jcnPZe35dBINTDJr8y-ZgDnwO1XAe510GUXZ2zpX8BHPqxGrxcdQPJDMLj-u7DiYM7now2U3Kfq-Gs7h1tNkw9fWUeQBzCv1TfSFRlOZ/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1A42U3hwRiHXnRvBYXS4B_wecxTbjj3xo-M4jcnPZe35dBINTDJr8y-ZgDnwO1XAe510GUXZ2zpX8BHPqxGrxcdQPJDMLj-u7DiYM7now2U3Kfq-Gs7h1tNkw9fWUeQBzCv1TfSFRlOZ/s640/IMG_2439.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Tropical fruit heaven</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Looking out of the window as the plane started its descent into Yangon airport I saw stretches of green luscious countryside, soaked with water from the monsoon season so much so that it looked like the earth beneath me was a giant sponge. I could make out the tips of golden pagodas shimmering here and there in the distance, lakes curled up in the midst of the sprawled out city. And green.. green everywhere, a good sign, I thought, a city intertwined with nature is my kind of city. No towering skyscrapers like her big sister Bangkok, even from above Yangon looked like a city small enough to make a home in and big enough to endlessly explore over the next year of my life. The plane landed, I was smiling. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The wave of muggy heat hit me in the face the second I stepped out of the plane. One of my first impressions, was the genuine friendliness of the people I encountered and the seemingly peaceful atmostphere of the place. Over the next few days I was agreeably surprised by how welcome and safe I felt wondering around the city. As a woman whenever I arrive in a new country I put my sensors out to get a feel of how people react to me as a foreigner, and as a woman - in many places I have felt uneasy but here in Yangon I have not once felt in the least bit intimidated, more than I can say about pretty much anywhere else I've been to, including home. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IUJtZOIwOmO6bQQAkmFXbVm-FNLMd07Ho6EWTUWL3bwmmG38v2uh-7mVuks1d4dQm0YY85EtWXjza5szggDuGl160wwk7E89GEDERHxBXD0J9gvBpEnrHCZhcMD40SamvZDuycuNlNO0/s1600/IMG_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IUJtZOIwOmO6bQQAkmFXbVm-FNLMd07Ho6EWTUWL3bwmmG38v2uh-7mVuks1d4dQm0YY85EtWXjza5szggDuGl160wwk7E89GEDERHxBXD0J9gvBpEnrHCZhcMD40SamvZDuycuNlNO0/s640/IMG_2462.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A market scene from Yangon</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Another fact that struck me about Yangon was that it is so vegan-friendly. Being in a country where I am not regarded as a mad person because I am vegan is refreshing! Local restaurants are usually outside terrasses sheltered by tin roofs, rudimentary plastic chairs and tables thrown around, waiters running to and fro balancing small dishes of pickled tea leaf salad, potato and tomato salads, mustard leaves, curries, trays of black tea, freshly-squeezed lime juices, coconut puddings etc. Less appetizing is the betel nut that the men chew on constantly here, spitting out its blood-red colored juice onto the floor, their teeth and gums stained (like I'd imagine Vampires' would be!) - you will see the red stains on the pavements everywhere you go - this habit is as accepted and as pervasive as smoking is in France! Yuck.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">My Yangon life so far can be summarized as a collection of small simple pleasures, strolling around the markets, cooking, getting back to blogging, meditating, meeting new interesting people, and soaking up the colors, movement and novelties of life in this wonderfully unknown place. It's been a process learning to live without the usual structure of full-time work, not easy at times - we are so conditioned to be doing doing doing all the time. I am thankful to have the opportunity to slow down, appreciate my time and learn to be rather than to do.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xsif3m27TVIoMmL8_Tl9xRbzsGqS1KRTPogd2NBwPpEdsqUiULTrte8D5BbPYXEHRu38DOaTU3Yddx7QxRPuKIrZe4Y5-1HsfJVMkjtRznAay9RMOOPjlMJbmOg9FvisNVrWni1kaBTn/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xsif3m27TVIoMmL8_Tl9xRbzsGqS1KRTPogd2NBwPpEdsqUiULTrte8D5BbPYXEHRu38DOaTU3Yddx7QxRPuKIrZe4Y5-1HsfJVMkjtRznAay9RMOOPjlMJbmOg9FvisNVrWni1kaBTn/s640/IMG_2470.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Banana Tree - took me a while to figure out what these were!</span></i></td></tr>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There is a strong sense of spirituality here, tangible wherever you go - offerings can be found on every street corner, week end family outings are trips to the pagodas, which are lively bustling places of worship, very different from the solemnity of churches back home. As well as through spirituality, Myanmar's unique and diverse culture is apparent in how people dress - even in modern Yangon very few people have adopted western style clothing, men and women alike wear colorful Longyis (long wrap around skirts) and each State has its own fabric patterns. The women wear thanaka on their faces, a yellow paste taken from tree bark, used traditionally as a sun protector but now worn widely for esthetic reasons. Women wear their traditional dress, long silky hair decorated with jasmine flowers, and yellow makeup with pride, no matter their age or background - finally a place where people haven't all adopted the craze of mainstream high street brands. Will this change now that Myanmar has opened its long-closed doors to international trade and businesses? Time will tell. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIylnW0e-EGq2GbGCESrCssG7f0R7sxbIv04yXioiOBvCbzudCScNEnVyue8-Cig9Zpt0TL1Ysjbs6pddqq62yaR2Adm_D1Pj_ADrZdZWG5STjcSk-ru43dyDVRPR1brG0kRci_RorSsuV/s640/DSC_0340.JPG" height="428" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A woman praying at the Shwedagon Pagoda.</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Needless to say that Myanmar is a complex place, as anyone who knows about the country is no doubt aware. I am very conscious that my day to day experience of this country stands in stark contrast with its simmering social and political tensions, its divisive and dark history. With 135 ethnic groups, over 30 anti-Government armed forces, natural disasters and internal conflicts, this place is in reality far from peaceful. But I am no political analyst, and I will simply share what I see and experience in this fascinating place, and hope that as it reaches a turning point in its history, opening up to the outside world at last, and with democratic elections around the corner, this country is setting out on a path that will eventually lead to positive and lasting change for its people.</span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-1790386870776434282013-11-18T10:24:00.002+00:002013-11-18T10:24:22.850+00:00Crispy mung bean tofu casserole<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 4</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time: 1hr</i></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Perfect for a grey day, when you want
something comforting and delicious – this nutritious meal is easy to prepare
and packed full of protein and veggies. If you don’t have mung beans you can
replace by coral lentils or even swap beans for grains and make this into a
polenta or millet casserole instead.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">cups ming beans, soaked</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium size head of broccoli, cut into large pieces</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 package of firm tofu, sliced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 small carrot, diced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">kernels from 1 ear of corn</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium leek, sliced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 bunches of asparagus, stalks discarded,
chopped into 1 inch pieces</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ cup non-dairy milk</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T shoyu or Bragg’s liquid aminos + 1extra
tsp</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T olive oil</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T + 1 tsp of paprika</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">salt and pepper</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T nutritional yeast</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T wheat germ</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 tsp rice vinegar</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-WAZGtJqi95cI5XCYIyZ50GLA20qQHinYTET7TxCXh9fDNPYaXtf1kPXf4XfYxx-TEdJxIWR1l7-_1v_iszR8OPcJbaSxp-WAbLLbr9cyGK703teq0Y8Li9wFr0EKJHHH1E5FqjBffOh/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-WAZGtJqi95cI5XCYIyZ50GLA20qQHinYTET7TxCXh9fDNPYaXtf1kPXf4XfYxx-TEdJxIWR1l7-_1v_iszR8OPcJbaSxp-WAbLLbr9cyGK703teq0Y8Li9wFr0EKJHHH1E5FqjBffOh/s640/IMG_2564.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></i></span></o:p></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></i></span></o:p></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Preparation</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Place the mung beans, brocoli, leak,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 tablespoons of the shoyu or Braggs
Liquid Aminos and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove
the froth from the top, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes,
or until the mung beans are very tender. Mid-way through cooking the mung
beans, add the carrot. Stir occasionally to prevent from sticking. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
Arrange the sliced tofu at the bottom of a medium sized casserole or baking
dish. In a small bowl mix together the oil, 1 T of paprika, garlic and an extra
teaspoon of shoyu/Braggs Liquid Aminos, and pour over the tofu. Place the corn
over the tofu, then add the layer of asparagus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Remove the bean mixture from the heat,
add the milk, vinegar and remaining teaspoon of paprika. Mash together until it
ressembles mashed potatoes. Spoon the mixture out into the casserole dish.
Sprinkle the nutritional yeast and wheatgerm over the top and drizzle a little
more shoyu/liquid aminos. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for a few
minutes before serving. Delicious with some steamed greens. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-19130725745961425812013-11-11T09:22:00.000+00:002013-11-14T03:32:52.625+00:00Fruity Rice Porridge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Preparation time: 10 minutes</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Serves 1</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsnEuXlldRlFDyvN3v7hfkWcNnBLzsAIVVCNzYjTde42YPuVyMvkIK_5FoFFpT4Ww9ChCzbi_sS5d0QHpBpk2H79iON9PRn1biXlAKhAM_04FO0t5-8TMA2A6lKUTh4DjSzXPetBZJmCw/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsnEuXlldRlFDyvN3v7hfkWcNnBLzsAIVVCNzYjTde42YPuVyMvkIK_5FoFFpT4Ww9ChCzbi_sS5d0QHpBpk2H79iON9PRn1biXlAKhAM_04FO0t5-8TMA2A6lKUTh4DjSzXPetBZJmCw/s640/DSC_0262.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I am a unashamed porridge addict. But since arriving in Burma, with the stiffling heat, this addiction has dwindled, perhaps a steaming bowl of cooked oats is better appreciated on a cold and rainy English morning. Turning my back on my usual oat-fix has left me searching for a new go-to number 1 breakfast. Mango smoothies have become a favorite, but I'm a breakfast person, I need something<i> seriously </i>filling to keep me going until lunch time, and smoothies don't always cut it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So here's my new, wonderfully tropical alternative to oat porridge: fruity rice porridge! It gives me the satisfaction of waking up to a steaming bowl of goodness and the energy of whole grains, keeping me from turning into a full blown Hangry monster by 11am.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgo227uE9rRoMDxCc9XrHPGHe9QStBdKHdzi5OjNGPT1ULcLPPkm5k2S3BS1_MR2OCnfgF_K4c9105S7u-15RPvb-hVqZHndkw6OWH7Yz_CMCIX3twsrlEnHJEsjC5PUVyhoh_6305PNr/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgo227uE9rRoMDxCc9XrHPGHe9QStBdKHdzi5OjNGPT1ULcLPPkm5k2S3BS1_MR2OCnfgF_K4c9105S7u-15RPvb-hVqZHndkw6OWH7Yz_CMCIX3twsrlEnHJEsjC5PUVyhoh_6305PNr/s640/DSC_0255.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Ingredients</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a bowl of left over wild or wholegrain rice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 a ripe mango (or just use any local seasonal fruit)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 an apple</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">2 dried china plums or apricots or any dried fruits to hand, chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a small handful or seeds - I love Linwood's flaxmeal, cacao and berry mix</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 cup or more of non-dairy milk - I use rice milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Preparation</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Cook all the ingredients (except the mango - I prefer to add some fruits at the end for a fresher tangier taste) in a small sauce pan on low heat until hot throughout. Add the mango or other fresh fruit and you're ready to go! Have fun experimenting with any kind of fruits, bananas are good too and give this recipe a sweet and mushy texture. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIuU32MWCm0agpyWpVybHCBZh54wgstLMqEXgNBnAeVt7Bg_1YkUO-KR8pw0_25iWANcuPqJIFE2KjMt-pzTvawkpSQxFa4sHZOT33QDw3V196MU7-FVfNpfOXLkjXaPcCWlEACqxOVK0/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIuU32MWCm0agpyWpVybHCBZh54wgstLMqEXgNBnAeVt7Bg_1YkUO-KR8pw0_25iWANcuPqJIFE2KjMt-pzTvawkpSQxFa4sHZOT33QDw3V196MU7-FVfNpfOXLkjXaPcCWlEACqxOVK0/s640/DSC_0264.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-82660284725291006152013-10-22T06:03:00.002+01:002013-10-22T08:03:52.173+01:00Tandoori Tofu with Curried Asparagus Rice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time: 1hr (or 25min if using precooked rice)</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 2</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sb8D4ocA16FoEeFv7vVxOR6afmx7M8ILRHKvZXJab5rbP4RAD4jD8dLrWe9w3UjzGP6NlpBgM9wx3ibOsj9K8dlR9mbZ_HWZoMhrFuyodCNQeKavqnQL_qf6Gvxk7oWo8FU13dCz2Qqr/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sb8D4ocA16FoEeFv7vVxOR6afmx7M8ILRHKvZXJab5rbP4RAD4jD8dLrWe9w3UjzGP6NlpBgM9wx3ibOsj9K8dlR9mbZ_HWZoMhrFuyodCNQeKavqnQL_qf6Gvxk7oWo8FU13dCz2Qqr/s640/DSC_0287.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Since I started working here in Myanmar (Burma) I haven't found much time to plan meals and go food shopping, so yesterday evening when I got home famished and opened the fridge I thought 'What on earth can I possibly make with .. let's see.. asparagus, tofu, left over black rice and half an onion?!' I was craving indian like food, so I decided to make my first ever tofu tandoori, and I got creative with the asparagus by blending it to make a creamy tasty sauce to go with the curried rice. I was surprisingly happy with the result! Had I had guests over for dinner I could have got them to believe that careful planning and trips to the market had gone into this dish ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The tandoori tofu on its own makes for a dangerously yummy finger snack! It's been added to my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">new favorites list.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvEyhGajJfsuFw96UhJKSMh3VbJnGlZvYSlWUlwcNJNWv9OR8X58lyk0dHI05QJBSfUHt0NVRtTz-hETsoDTIvgZnAlTMiBvZQGd9or1xbDnYOjWLaGlvdOw_MxS5xWqUywZ4WOiqKrSS/s1600/DSC_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvEyhGajJfsuFw96UhJKSMh3VbJnGlZvYSlWUlwcNJNWv9OR8X58lyk0dHI05QJBSfUHt0NVRtTz-hETsoDTIvgZnAlTMiBvZQGd9or1xbDnYOjWLaGlvdOw_MxS5xWqUywZ4WOiqKrSS/s640/DSC_0275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Ingredients</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Tandoori Tofu Marinade</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">400 grams tofu, cut in strips</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 Tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos (or soy sauce)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ Tbsp curry powder</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp paprika</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 Tbsp olive oil</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">Curried Asparagus Rice</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup uncooked black rice (or 2 cups leftover cooked rice)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium onion, finely chopped</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ tsp curry powder</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ tsp paprika</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ Tbsp </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Bragg's liquid aminos</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"> (or soy sauce)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 bunch of asparagus, chopped into one inch
pieces, stalks removed</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 Tbsp coconut milk</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp olive oil</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">salt & pepper to taste</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr7wU4TqwAFrfaL-fFDapmJzlvBpMZS5RV4RNfWSy4ToRtGmDC6bzd_g61YT05nuFKEzQq-AHfNxumZD2DOIU9q1lpBRVmGmPybXNWXiGg5Hj2Cc5HWTJccmUxgpYCTQ83JJjkL1OiWqU/s1600/DSC_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr7wU4TqwAFrfaL-fFDapmJzlvBpMZS5RV4RNfWSy4ToRtGmDC6bzd_g61YT05nuFKEzQq-AHfNxumZD2DOIU9q1lpBRVmGmPybXNWXiGg5Hj2Cc5HWTJccmUxgpYCTQ83JJjkL1OiWqU/s640/DSC_0268.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Preparation</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">If you are using uncooked rice, cook it according to packet instructions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">While the rice is cooking mix together the marinade ingredients for the tandoori tofu and place the strips in the marinade, make sure all the strips are coated, cover and place in the fridge. If you have the chance, do this step a few hours before cooking to let the tofu marinade for longer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">About 5 minutes before the rice is done, place the tofu strips on a baking sheet and grill for 10 minutes on each side, until they turn golden and slightly crispy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Once the rice is cooked heat the 1/2 tsp of oil in a large frying pan on low-medium heat, add the paprika and curry and stir the spices in well with the oil, cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, to let the flavors release. Add the chopped onion and cook on a low-medium heat. Let the onion cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile place the chopped asparagus in a pot of boiling water and boil for about 7 minutes. Drain and place the asparagus in a blender together with the coconut milk and the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Bragg's liquid aminos</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, blend until smooth. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Add the cooked rice and the asparagus sauce to the frying pan and cook on medium-high heat for a few minutes, combining all the ingredients well.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Place the asparagus rice and the broiled tandoori tofu together on plates and serve hot. </span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-24049757321606245742013-10-20T11:42:00.000+01:002014-03-18T09:09:07.198+00:00Roasted Maple Lotus Roots & Life in Burma - part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Preparation time - 25 minutes</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Serves 2</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o it’s been aaaaaages since I last posted!
To be fair life has been full of change recently – a month ago the boyfriend, the cat a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">nd I
have moved all the way from London to Myanmar (previously known as Burma) and
are now living in beautiful, hot,
colourful Yangon, the country’s capital city. For the past few weeks
I’ve been settling in, exploring busy markets, admiring golden pagodas, meeting
new people, getting accustomed to the heat and the monsoon rains and .. of
course.. trying a number of Yangon’s many local vegan-friendly dishes: from the strange sounding but delicious pickled tea leaf salad to sticky coconut sweets sold
by smiling women on every street corner. </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This place already feels like home, I love it, and it helps that Yangon is a wonderful place to be a vegan. There is even a Myanma word for it ‘Tatalo’! It’s a welcome change from most of the East and West African countries I have travelled to previously where conversations
in restaurants often went something like this: me: ‘But.. this is chicken, I
asked for vegetables?’ waiter, hand on hip and looking at me like with barely-concealed exasperation:
‘Chicken IS vegetarian, chicken is VE-GE-TA-BLE!!’ .. Oh.Ok then, back to plain rice
for lunch and dinner I guess.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">By marked contrast, here the market stalls offer row upon row of exotic fruits
and vegetables, bursting with color, many that I had never seen before – bright pink dragon fruits
that taste like kiwis, greens of all shapes and sizes, pomelos, which are like football sized grapefruits, lotus roots and so on. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja9OZUqXWDCWD2XSt8lvLlBGfq-x0CQgcdtRnwH7akZhOKENY1L5q30BOER5TvlXBA6I91qK5KcUlfnR95aZTktXHf5a8EEg3N5KC0ImS5n8M6Y2fhVUMMjmdF3RdGuahkX8_1R4Lh0I4/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja9OZUqXWDCWD2XSt8lvLlBGfq-x0CQgcdtRnwH7akZhOKENY1L5q30BOER5TvlXBA6I91qK5KcUlfnR95aZTktXHf5a8EEg3N5KC0ImS5n8M6Y2fhVUMMjmdF3RdGuahkX8_1R4Lh0I4/s640/DSC_0373.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Enjoying a late afternoon wander around the Swedagon Pagoda. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">So now that I am settled, it's back to business! I intend to get busy cooking and blogging again. It’s only fitting
that my first recipe post from Burma should be inspired by this beautiful country so I've made Roasted Maple Lotus Root with, served with a steaming bowl of soba veggie noodles. I actually found this recipe in Alicia Silverstone’s The
Kind Diet book, which I highly recommend you buy if you're interested in yummy plant-based recipes and in learning more about the links between diet, health and the environment. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Roasted maple lotus root is super easy to make and is so more-ish I ended up eating the
whole lot in one go.. so much for thinking I was making enough for the week!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Raw lotus root</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 whole lotus root, sliced into thin rounds</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 garlic cloves, pressed</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 medium-sized leek, chopped into thin
half-moons</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp of soy sauce</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 tsp of maple, you can use honey instead</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T olive oil</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8xZudnWIBWgLGEDRIAD6YYe0cPMA-Ix-XUU6W1ErpPTVBHkWXyzmaf1YhJdvS3hIYYfhLdMgewbYp5mx87r2sYa187By0l7PQFRCR-j7hFaGJqHx2Zg1UDfz-weyqT_2D2Bxf4yn9NdV/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8xZudnWIBWgLGEDRIAD6YYe0cPMA-Ix-XUU6W1ErpPTVBHkWXyzmaf1YhJdvS3hIYYfhLdMgewbYp5mx87r2sYa187By0l7PQFRCR-j7hFaGJqHx2Zg1UDfz-weyqT_2D2Bxf4yn9NdV/s640/DSC_0401.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ready for the oven!</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation</i></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Easy Peasy! Preheat the oven to 160°C. Combine all the
ingredients together, spread out on a baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes or until
the lotus root is golden and tender. Serve hot.</span></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-9684815305703238582013-08-03T11:28:00.000+01:002013-08-03T11:29:51.781+01:00Ohlala's Oreo Strawberry Pie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Serving - 6</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Preparation time: 20 minutes (+30min to chill)</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWYEQVMAuFMV33_MYJSKv4eL3pN26IhS2SgRIzTjPBlfePZocPRplgbCARZwmXw02aL6JT_ajjLg_eVSk_X634iFxilfDV-qT1u67qcWsbzhyAwdLK9ootaBXkLYIYvPN3vA28YnA8ugy/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWYEQVMAuFMV33_MYJSKv4eL3pN26IhS2SgRIzTjPBlfePZocPRplgbCARZwmXw02aL6JT_ajjLg_eVSk_X634iFxilfDV-qT1u67qcWsbzhyAwdLK9ootaBXkLYIYvPN3vA28YnA8ugy/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" height="442" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A chewy crunchy oreo crust, covered in a creamy chocolaty filling, with a middle and a top lawyer of luscious strawberries... </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Suffice it to say that an unlimited amount of this oreo strawberry pie figures on my 'top 5 things I would take to a desert island' list. Yes, it is <u style="font-style: italic;">that</u> good!</span></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Ingredients</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">the crust</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 pack of oreo cookies (154 grams) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">3 T coconut oil</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1T liquid sweetener (i used brown rice syrup)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">the filling</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">150gr silken tofu</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">3 T soy vanilla yogurt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 T liquid sweetener (i used brown rice syrup)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 T cocoa powder</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">3 oreo cookies</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 t arrowroot (optional but will help thicken the filling)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 T cocao nibs or dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 tiny pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">toppings</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a dozen ripe strawberries, sliced</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1/2 T shredded coconut (optional)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHThw8bFBpNs18vRchDpYyreMX6WGWog4tF6m9eRyecQ803fUiNN-1xImRrPUcXLMLXOUjBBPTm3AilzX6L1M8i6t3PBjYHhCSZF_-mQvkZVHOMZrV_pSq7K3KFwrWRCwIukeRDUIrWBM/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHThw8bFBpNs18vRchDpYyreMX6WGWog4tF6m9eRyecQ803fUiNN-1xImRrPUcXLMLXOUjBBPTm3AilzX6L1M8i6t3PBjYHhCSZF_-mQvkZVHOMZrV_pSq7K3KFwrWRCwIukeRDUIrWBM/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Directions</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The crust - Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Blend all the crust ingredients together in a processor until they turn into a fine crumby micture. Spoon out into a small round baking dish and press the crust mixture down until it covers the whole surface. Place in the oven and bake for 6-10 minutes, until the crust is slightly bubbling. Remove and set aside to cool. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The filling - Blend all the filling ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Place half the sliced strawberries over the crust, then pour the tofu chocolaty mix over the top and spread out evenly over the crust. Now place the remaining strawberries over the top and sprinkle with the shredded coconut, if using. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Place in the freezer for about 1 hour and serve. If you are leaving it in the freezer for longer, allow a good 20 minutes for it to thaw. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntCOI6kP7vS5Y3SV9RWCOPtmquZkFp1GpNH_sHkcRAI7ffJQaiOwfcKdG7HafcnZTFzOsauGKlE0L3vik0EeGeKoC2KdQ0S1Y1pbXczzdAV7S5_okU-_tyjml2yHt4BSoqXt1i50fbftd/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntCOI6kP7vS5Y3SV9RWCOPtmquZkFp1GpNH_sHkcRAI7ffJQaiOwfcKdG7HafcnZTFzOsauGKlE0L3vik0EeGeKoC2KdQ0S1Y1pbXczzdAV7S5_okU-_tyjml2yHt4BSoqXt1i50fbftd/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-2821243759448468052013-07-30T19:35:00.002+01:002013-07-30T19:35:46.645+01:00Summer Berry Mousse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Serves 4</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preparation time: 5 minutes</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rrYWDwSNLNZfgbYa7zeMKegktk31uiteAgDIGo66_RcSWNJBZAvm4UtnO3PI65jViV1iyB1Cp4qBgMC4RoxMB2coeB1NRNIMIX4ps0u8g745XnqIHQQuon3FeSFkO5UvSBJShF14si92/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rrYWDwSNLNZfgbYa7zeMKegktk31uiteAgDIGo66_RcSWNJBZAvm4UtnO3PI65jViV1iyB1Cp4qBgMC4RoxMB2coeB1NRNIMIX4ps0u8g745XnqIHQQuon3FeSFkO5UvSBJShF14si92/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Question:</b> What to make when you have 5 minutes to:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">A. alleviate that sweet tooth of yours before you lose it and run hysterically like you're the heroine in a thriller to the nearest store to buy all their cake supplies in your sunday pajamas and slippers?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">B. make your kids/rude guests stop moaning about how they don't want to have just fruit or yogurt for dessert, <u>again</u>, because how boring is that!?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Answer: </b>a strawberry and blueberry mousse, light, healthy and indulgent! This summer delight takes less time to make that it does to read this sentence. Who wants seconds? ME.</span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">8 large ripe strawberries, stalks removed</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 handfuls of blueberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">200gr of firm tofu</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 T brown rice syrup (more or less depending on how sweet you want it)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T shredded coconut (optional)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">3 pitted dates</span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions</b></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnRh1A6r0CJVxyMSGZHS22hnvFecI1HJYOnA6dU7ue8aoHOodJCdpEJad8WvVZfgsxJqS64r-vicqQs-Fv49ddmW6lTTbOhLn-4LFAWOP4oZXQc8TvWalNDyAJHDWmcWZlBsQRiw6YdNm/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnRh1A6r0CJVxyMSGZHS22hnvFecI1HJYOnA6dU7ue8aoHOodJCdpEJad8WvVZfgsxJqS64r-vicqQs-Fv49ddmW6lTTbOhLn-4LFAWOP4oZXQc8TvWalNDyAJHDWmcWZlBsQRiw6YdNm/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-20239469850124907122013-07-23T08:37:00.000+01:002013-07-23T08:37:29.625+01:00I ♡ ASPARAGUS Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 2</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time 20 minutes</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrtI3lN9qWey7DsteZkh-Jh6kux4L3Z6F2Hvg3i1ejFc6Wr_RsrOAyia3L0JeG2o_I1G71q9Pc14ZCrUIUIvsEEkaXg09od0lPaBrVxzUye7gUF_8bHW7cKMHkv0e_AKvocLvmrEiMEEf/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrtI3lN9qWey7DsteZkh-Jh6kux4L3Z6F2Hvg3i1ejFc6Wr_RsrOAyia3L0JeG2o_I1G71q9Pc14ZCrUIUIvsEEkaXg09od0lPaBrVxzUye7gUF_8bHW7cKMHkv0e_AKvocLvmrEiMEEf/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This was my first attempt at making asparagus soup</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, and in just one try it has shot right up to my top 4 favorite ever soups, ranking alongside the great all-time winners leek and potato, Tom Kha and turkish red lentil. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">250g asparagus</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 1/2 T of margarine</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 T olive oil</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 garlic clove, crushed</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 medium onion, roughly chopped</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">600ml vegetable stock </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 1/2 cups of fresh spinach</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">salt and pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">nutritional yeast to garnish (optional)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLfNE7Yrch6LxqUKfPgaF7o_dVIeBsuFgchu0MFEHnV8SVtAsl3jxQFpnjZJ-5fWTr2RjpsxrECYKApASPkeb2to4Sd_3wM3Lnxqkn0ZGMU9-wXktbfvhO4D-W1If_2SAE1pRsMJQiJl/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYLfNE7Yrch6LxqUKfPgaF7o_dVIeBsuFgchu0MFEHnV8SVtAsl3jxQFpnjZJ-5fWTr2RjpsxrECYKApASPkeb2to4Sd_3wM3Lnxqkn0ZGMU9-wXktbfvhO4D-W1If_2SAE1pRsMJQiJl/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Directions</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat, add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Chop up the asparagus stalks into 1 inch pieces, discarding the woody ends and keeping the tips to one side for garnishing. Add the asparagus stalks to the pan, combine with the margarine, oil and onion and cover for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Add the spinach and vegetable stock, bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Wait until slightly cooled and blend until smooth. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Serve hot or chilled with the asparagus tips and nutritional yeast. Delicious with garlic bread!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhDJF_WPid8XsCdR_TgTGE-yGqQlFK7NLSBsuWRZm9s1IuBAdnZGl7ybDWtad43cijvfTTZsotDkB2D1yCPHexnYtRoBPiD1lX_bJOZ7dBo8O1LMMSuF-xYGO8WEIsaZI0PHDPR5Mb7mv/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhDJF_WPid8XsCdR_TgTGE-yGqQlFK7NLSBsuWRZm9s1IuBAdnZGl7ybDWtad43cijvfTTZsotDkB2D1yCPHexnYtRoBPiD1lX_bJOZ7dBo8O1LMMSuF-xYGO8WEIsaZI0PHDPR5Mb7mv/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-82749906624534047552013-07-20T13:17:00.000+01:002013-07-20T13:17:55.211+01:00Oreo Cookies'n Cream Popsicles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Makes 2</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Preparation time 10 minutes (+3hrs to freeze)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBHM32wgD9qwQ__tc-HVg6o1-uI8z_gN-1fw4Io44d6Y1eT75niNTttCxKfcmTh7AuHemXt41u8GbcQVyfI4E6_e0fClt71sfxWfizEFNsNf5QlUX6dxHJGdetCCjbneUn27aaYpcJN1Y/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBHM32wgD9qwQ__tc-HVg6o1-uI8z_gN-1fw4Io44d6Y1eT75niNTttCxKfcmTh7AuHemXt41u8GbcQVyfI4E6_e0fClt71sfxWfizEFNsNf5QlUX6dxHJGdetCCjbneUn27aaYpcJN1Y/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">How can Oreos possibly be vegan? Well, it's one of life's great mysteries, but they are. I reckon this was accidental, accidentally awesome that is.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I thought long and hard this morning about what to do with the pack of oreos I picked up yesterday, and then it struck me.. Oreo Cookies and Cream Popsicles! As far as oreo ice cream goes, this is a very healthy version, which gave me a good excuse to eat them for brunch.. yep, that's almost as socially unacceptable as having alcohol before noon, but whatever, it's Saturday! No complicated ingredients, no hassle, just delicious creamy crunchy oreo deliciousness. And now while you lovely readers rade your kitchen in search of oreos and dairy-free yogurt, I'm off to watch World War Z, Brad Pitt and zombies, what an amazing combination. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn1e4hqF-ByrLXs6NdC6Q2M_F5HBBkUZJ4M5kGI0vTxA6NFlK9ovwgt-K_WwPKyyu_Pt3_z0zec4c-VaUT1jlB8QN17ZdcVRwpBWZdLnBgRJ8IjsG_y57zn2fnUyCGeDaTBWordfhoFUh/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn1e4hqF-ByrLXs6NdC6Q2M_F5HBBkUZJ4M5kGI0vTxA6NFlK9ovwgt-K_WwPKyyu_Pt3_z0zec4c-VaUT1jlB8QN17ZdcVRwpBWZdLnBgRJ8IjsG_y57zn2fnUyCGeDaTBWordfhoFUh/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients </i></b></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">4 oreo cookies</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ cup rice milk</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">½ cup vanilla yogurt</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 t liquid sweetener (or more depending on your taste)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Blend together the yogurt, milk, liquid sweetener and 1 of the oreos until smooth and well combined. Chop the 3 remaining oreos into pieces and place the pieces into the popsicle molds, then pour the yogurt mix into the molds, over the oreo chunks. Place in the freezer for about 3 hours. And there you have it, delicious low fat oreo cookies and cream popsicles!</span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-81591205620073996392013-07-17T21:40:00.000+01:002013-07-17T21:40:30.257+01:00Raw Blueberry Brownies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Makes 10</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>Preparation time 5 minutes</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2uOc7irxaAbjgbH0DnDjjfOhu662QvVhI3v3jmn6BGGdDlh6sNVOMZFu3-LHLmfVNc6ynkzRAdng2U5gaF5Z8g_z3tpDXCwUga3ikTbo402AEfUrgZ3Paslz11GGzkT-UNoKtu6jYB23/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2uOc7irxaAbjgbH0DnDjjfOhu662QvVhI3v3jmn6BGGdDlh6sNVOMZFu3-LHLmfVNc6ynkzRAdng2U5gaF5Z8g_z3tpDXCwUga3ikTbo402AEfUrgZ3Paslz11GGzkT-UNoKtu6jYB23/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>'Behold' </i>said the blueberries as they peered up to the top of the great chocolaty cliff in front of them <i>'tis the holy raw blueberry brownie cliff!' </i>and all the little blueberries sighed and wished that one day they too would be lovingly mixed up and made up into a delicious raw brownie. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So take 5 minutes to help these blueberries fulfill their destiny! In exchange you'll get to feast on rich yet healthy, tangy coconutty brownies. It's a win win situation.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup oats</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup shredded coconut (replace with cashews if you prefer)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T melted coconut butter</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 cups dates</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup cacao powder</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2-3 handfuls of blueberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Directions</i></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Process all the ingredients together and flatten out into a small baking tray. Place in the fridge for about half an hour and serve with your choice of dairy free cream or yogurt and fruit. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIX5SP9tU0h8BJBNakrLDcgnHkziX-JazhnWbjRu6qvqbQqLDwJakwT1l5qYcfqv71y4dvqiNHvOaf5OHqtcEhen9VzQ-mfFm5dxMNBJnYucxYT_cjPxK4Z_O-sTmItLNUDDAumUaFVLf/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIX5SP9tU0h8BJBNakrLDcgnHkziX-JazhnWbjRu6qvqbQqLDwJakwT1l5qYcfqv71y4dvqiNHvOaf5OHqtcEhen9VzQ-mfFm5dxMNBJnYucxYT_cjPxK4Z_O-sTmItLNUDDAumUaFVLf/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-8822162477443432592013-07-14T12:32:00.000+01:002013-07-14T12:35:22.175+01:00Raw Strawberry Chocolate Truffles <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Makes 20</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time 10 minutes (+ 2 hrs to freeze)</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVsDI_evWcN2BJYDrRYvNX73YTH9t8Nl7XQDVDAM6GPR9mi74nLmxU-2m8AWy2JbL-4bhPwFAAHGSEIQmEua0aCKBVhkd32YMVm3JrMbouiBGU1mhflxxOpYJbqlcuA4uYWMQhUIPLTGo/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVsDI_evWcN2BJYDrRYvNX73YTH9t8Nl7XQDVDAM6GPR9mi74nLmxU-2m8AWy2JbL-4bhPwFAAHGSEIQmEua0aCKBVhkd32YMVm3JrMbouiBGU1mhflxxOpYJbqlcuA4uYWMQhUIPLTGo/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Truffles remind me of christmas and huddling away from the cold by a blazing fire, but let's face it, they are way too good to be reserved for the cold months alone. So today I made a summer version, that can be frozen and eaten cold, a heavenly bite of indulgence that will also cool you down on a hot summer day. Perfect accompanied by... you guessed it, champagne and fresh strawberries!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvu0Y_c5hIuc1KNwuvli5KIm5Uh0_AQ0lQwJLMhoh0iMyk-IpmM-hvPS0JOiga23iufa39JQbHs-wnTGwHyvcklPZgD-aK4SGwydlZUEsGbqY8Q9FPmnknRNrPCgYMVWkXJHmlrPizXzB/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvu0Y_c5hIuc1KNwuvli5KIm5Uh0_AQ0lQwJLMhoh0iMyk-IpmM-hvPS0JOiga23iufa39JQbHs-wnTGwHyvcklPZgD-aK4SGwydlZUEsGbqY8Q9FPmnknRNrPCgYMVWkXJHmlrPizXzB/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">160 gr of sliced strawberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">6 T of cocao powder</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">8 T of melted coconut butter</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T brown rice syrup (or another liquid sweetener)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">a teeny tiny pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T shredded coconut (optional)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T of cacao nibs (optional)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Directions</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mash really well with a fork until the strawberries have blended down and become smooth. Scoop out into a cake pop mould or ice cube moulds and put in the freezer for a couple of hours at least. Thaw out for a good 20 minutes before eating. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Vive l'été!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexLECF2Am1UJ4M8yn-oTWwu20OhpdJGqOAnIleZ1mcOoj3eWQZH-z560ZkW-KLqQEZCpIUtvCT7KdzenizGJX1zDV3qDQMPUNA7wslEH_7oeoGzAVXiIF0Lcenykap9cV-5X7GfKdLvUu/s1600/DSC_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexLECF2Am1UJ4M8yn-oTWwu20OhpdJGqOAnIleZ1mcOoj3eWQZH-z560ZkW-KLqQEZCpIUtvCT7KdzenizGJX1zDV3qDQMPUNA7wslEH_7oeoGzAVXiIF0Lcenykap9cV-5X7GfKdLvUu/s1600/DSC_0317.jpg" height="526" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-91349608277350734042013-07-13T10:10:00.001+01:002013-07-13T10:10:24.043+01:00Sweet and Spicy Summer Salad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 4</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i>Preparation time: 40 minutes</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">S<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ummer is here! For real this time. For a whole week now London has been bathing in beautiful sunlight, no clouds in sight, not a drizzle of rain. </span>Seriously this thing called summer is a rarity in the UK, this is a country where people reminisce about the last good summer like it was in 1953.. and it probably was.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">On day 1 people everywhere emerged from offices and houses, blinking, blinded and rubbing their eyes as though they had just emerged from a dark cave after 9 months of hibernation! By day 3 the park by my office was full of girls lounging on the grass in bikini tops and mini shorts, and guys kicking footballs around. After day 7 of this amazing weather the forecast announced that the sunshine was well and truly here to stay (well.. for at least another week that is) and I swear I actually<i> heard</i> the whole country sigh a great big collective sigh of happy relief. <i>'Finally'</i>. The time has come to dust off barbecues and pick nick hampers and head outside, gather with friends, and embrace the most wonderful time of the year. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">For me the last few days have been proof of how true it is that we adapt to our natural environments and that if we learn how to listen to our bodies (mainly by reducing the amount of addictive foods we eat like salt, fat and sugar) then we automatically crave seasonal local produce. My taste buds in the last week have gone from wanting warm creamy mushy comfort food to calling out for great big tantalisingly fresh, crunchy, juicy salads and fruits.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">This salad is my 'celebration of summer salad' so grab your picnic rugs, sunglasses, and head to the park with this delicious sweet and spicy roasted vegetable and baby spinach salad!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 large carrots, cut into strips</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 red pepper, cut into strips</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 red onion, diced</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">4 baby potatoes, quartered</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 bag of baby spinach leaves, washed</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">For the marinade</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T brown rice vinegar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 T umeboshi vinegar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1-2 T liquid sweetener</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 T crushed red pepper flakes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T olive or sesame oil</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 large garlic cloves, minced</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T fresh ginger</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T soy sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">salt & pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">For the topping and dressing</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">2 T nutritional yeast</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 t gomachio</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 apple, diced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 T toasted sesame oil</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 T soy sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">salt & pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">seeds</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi543khZ5CMV2e403V5JQ9nAAnp1Y70tm1B2bV1WCEqDmAln1VdfQFtKnIfrSAKDpBKFOGjBuPl4gm7IcoXFgoHeZeorvGvx4O_rupGqwYcqZSUfSCNTHRYxPrwPuXMwU6oUEFvMooWL46t/s1600/roasted+veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi543khZ5CMV2e403V5JQ9nAAnp1Y70tm1B2bV1WCEqDmAln1VdfQFtKnIfrSAKDpBKFOGjBuPl4gm7IcoXFgoHeZeorvGvx4O_rupGqwYcqZSUfSCNTHRYxPrwPuXMwU6oUEFvMooWL46t/s1600/roasted+veg.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Even the veggies are ready to get a tan (in the oven)!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Directions</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 180°C/360°F.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Place the quartered potatoes in a medium pan, add enough water to cover them and bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes, until potatoes are cooked but still firm. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Chop up the vegetables and place them in a bowl with the potatoes, add all the marinade ingredients and toss together until all the vegetables are covered with the marinade. Spread out the vegetables on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook for about 30 minutes or until golden brown, turning them half way through.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Remove from the oven and in a large bowl toss together the baby spinach, roasted vegetables, chopped apple, seeds (I used sunflower seeds and sesame seeds). Then add the toasted sesame oil and soy sauce for the dressing, toss the salad well and add the nutritional yeast and gomaschio last. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And voila! You are ready for your picnic :) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRoNsWIklNMw0q8cb5FOvmlknridpG0zm7aYicWn0-POHMSEDNw0xzpLfDIYtMFUemhT1_djrfpEk_miqEo42qMBdJ-fWntccQW_cRf6p3t_RBqE6zR6lvE4EqdJbzuj1JAgzkrsz_yBn/s1600/salad+bowl+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRoNsWIklNMw0q8cb5FOvmlknridpG0zm7aYicWn0-POHMSEDNw0xzpLfDIYtMFUemhT1_djrfpEk_miqEo42qMBdJ-fWntccQW_cRf6p3t_RBqE6zR6lvE4EqdJbzuj1JAgzkrsz_yBn/s1600/salad+bowl+3.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885069242249091903.post-20903387296102843932013-07-04T07:57:00.003+01:002013-11-29T07:42:10.600+00:00Good Morning Blueberry Muffins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Serves 12</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preparation time: 40 minutes</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2fqdjnnzWlnIIt2rombKLXROVOUUM0Ca02eKYy8TQVZYemrV61ai6tKp9cxavGD-OHOr_NpcTgzqdHmy3foCyKS-s8yulGGSnklNxDifdTZYSp9yEVr0oCglRaiULmKBmKsOseP08daM/s1600/blueberry+muffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2fqdjnnzWlnIIt2rombKLXROVOUUM0Ca02eKYy8TQVZYemrV61ai6tKp9cxavGD-OHOr_NpcTgzqdHmy3foCyKS-s8yulGGSnklNxDifdTZYSp9yEVr0oCglRaiULmKBmKsOseP08daM/s1600/blueberry+muffin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Well hello again, it's been a while! I've had friends over and have been busy running around exploring London and having a great time. But I'm back and ready to get cooking and posting again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">These muffins are healthy (no fat), effortless and quick to make. Delicious eaten on their own or with a dollop of soy yogurt. They are perfect breakfast or as a yummy treat, they will keep a good few days so are great to grab-and-go.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup non-dairy milk</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 T apple cider vinegar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup of oats</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup of flour</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 t baking powder</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 t baking soda</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1t cinnamon</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup applesauce or ripe mashed banana</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup liquid sweetener</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">1 cup of frozen blueberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Directions</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">In a medium bowl combine the milk and cider vinegar. Leave for a couple of minutes then add the oats. Set aside. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">In a larger bowl combine the flour, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Stir in the applesauce or mashed banana, the liquid sweetener and the oat mixture. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Spoon the mixture out into a lightly greased muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Recipe slightly adapted from the food.com <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/vegan-blueberry-muffins-271760" target="_blank">recipe</a>. </span></div>
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Kate Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229929522969471533noreply@blogger.com2