diets – The GF Vegetarian

Edamame

October 29, 2020 KatriLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. My life has been flat-chat with finishing up my degree, working 5 days a week and parenting.

I’ve finally finished my degree, however, I’m still suck working a dead end job. I probably shouldn’t complain because there are some people who have lost their jobs because of corona virus. But, even they are making more money than me since the Australian government is providing support payments like money’s going outta fashion. Which, might I add, it is. My sister got kicked out of a store the other day for attempting to pay cash for a purchase. God forbid the teller handles some cash, with all the other crap they’re touching. If they are that concerned, they should wear gloves. Time to start hording gold bars and growing an orchard.

Edamame! Now who loves soy beans? I’m addicted to them at the moment. I know what you’re thinking.. “I’ve been told that soy is bad”. Soy gets a serious bad rap. But honestly some of the healthiest diets in the world contain daily soy intake. Caucasian diets, typically void of soy products are more commonly associated with health problems, whereas Asian diets, often rich in soy, are typical considered healthier. I personally have found since I switched to a plant based diet I feel healthier, physically, mentally and emotionally. This includes eating a yummy bowl of GMO free edamame from time to time. Now, I feel it’s important to include that I have a thyroid condition and have not found soy to have an effect on my thyroid. However, some people with autoimmune conditions do swear off soy. It’s up to the individual.

Nevertheless, Lets look at some of the benefits if edamame:

High in protein
May help lower cholesterol
Contains folate which can help with depression
Rich in healthy fiber
Antioxidants and vitamin K
Naturally gluten-free and low in calories

And many more benefits. Consider edamame as a part of healthy plant based diet. And they’re super fun to eat.

– Kat

Vegan Butter “Tasty” Tofu

November 14, 2018 KatriLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I posted. The last month has been hectic with law exams. This degree is taking me longer then I expected and every year it seems like any future prospects for law professionals are in decline. Apparently, math is the way to go now and the only good degree for careers of the future. Nevertheless, I’m still slugging away.

Now that things have slowed down, I’m in the process of getting together all the information, registrations and clearance I need to start a food van and get this GF Veg Beast on the road, fill that festival void of trying to find both Vegan and Gluten Free options. However, good food van’s are hard to come by and the really good ones have a pretty hefty price tag. So watch this space..♥♥

Hope everyone is enjoying the slow winding up of the year. The weather is getting warmer, which is nice. So, I went for a hike today and since it’s snake season every rustle in the bushes had me bolting down the track, needless to say, I finished the hike in a record 2hrs instead of the recommended 4hrs. Survived to blog again, snake bite free. Here’s a little something I whipped up a while ago. Pictures don’t do it justice. I did have someone taste test it and they approved the recipe “fit for blogging”, even went back for a second helping ;).

Ingredients

Tasty Tofu

1 block of firm tofu, diced.
1 tablespoon of cornflour
1 teaspoon of garam masala
1/2 tablespoon of ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon of hot paprika
1/2 tablespoon of curry powder
A dash of sunflower oil

Tofu method

Mix the cornflour, garam masala, ginger, paprika and curry powder in a bowl.
Toss the diced tofu in the mixture till the cubes are well coated
Cover and set aside for 10mins
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, once hot, add the tofu cubes and brown and crisp each side, turning the cubes as needed, once all cooked, set aside.. Start on the sauce.

Sauce

1 can of diced organic tomatoes
400ml can of light coconut milk
1 medium brown onion diced
1 teaspoon of curry powder
1/2 teaspoon of hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1 tablespoon of garam masala
1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/2 tablespoon of salt
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
Juice of one lemon
Dash of sunflower oil
100g of baby spinach leaves

Sauce method

Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat, add onion and saute till translucent
Next, add in the curry powder, paprika, pepper, salt, garam masala, and ginger, stirring together till fragrant (2 mins), don’t let it burn
Next, stir in the tomato paste, tinned tomatoes, coconut milk and lemon
Bring to boil, then turn down to simmer.. slowly add the tofu pieces and baby spinach and fold them through the mixture.

Serve with basmati rice or with a baked potato. Nom nom..

Katri ♥

Eggplant Lasagna

October 3, 2018October 4, 2018 KatriLeave a comment

So today I wore shorts to the gym for the second time. I know that sounds stupid. I mean plenty of people wear shorts to the gym. Why not? It’s hot, you get sweaty. However, I never wear shorts to the gym and especially now that I’m getting older. I seem to carry all my weight on my upper thighs and stomach. Even though tights don’t really hide much. I wore shorts to the gym because I stopped taking spin classes because my legs get too hot in tights. “So what’s the big deal” I hear you ask. Well.. I am worried about how my legs look, I feel self conscious and nervous about not covering up, even when I’m dripping in sweat. But the other day I decided enough is enough. I mean I’m 33, shouldn’t I stop worrying about the societal pressures of how a woman’s body should look. I know I should, but actually acting on it is harder. It’s hard to be comfortable in one’s own body when there is so much negativity out there. Even when you click of any news site there are numerous stories of “How much weight such and such lost” or “how to get buns of steal”. The reality is, everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, we all carry our weight differently, why deny it or hide.

A significant thing we can all do as feminist and humans is to realise our embodiment. We are embodied and our bodies serve us in everything we do. Love all yourself, even if it’s not perfect. I mean what is “perfect” anyway?! Sure, sure, some people judge others on appearance. But so what, it’s a testament to their inability of perceive outside of the social norms. Live the best life in the skin your in right now. I’m really talking to myself here too. Anyway. To celebrate my little hurdle, I made an eggplant lasagna. Nom nom nom.

And I included a picture of an old time tractor for your viewing pleasure. I took this picture when I went for a country drive the other day. Needless to say the farmer came out and was curious as to why I was hovering around his tractor. Not that you could really steal that thing.. I’m sure a brisk walk would catch up with it.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 tablespoon of ginger paste

1 tablespoon of garlic paste

1 tablespoon of chili paste

1 large brown onion diced

2 tins of diced tomatoes

1 cup of cashews

1 cup of tinned brown lentils

1/2 cup of dried red lentils

1/2 cup of dried green lentils

3 cups of veg stock

1/2 cup of coconut milk

Oregano, salt and pepper to taste

2 large eggplants, thinly sliced

2 large tomatoes thinly sliced

3 medium to small potatoes thinly sliced

Sauce Method

First, place red and green lentils and 2 cups of stock into a pot, bring to boil, simmer for 40 mins, stirring occasionally, add water if all stock dries up. Once cooked set aside.

Next, in a food processor, pulverize the cashew nuts with 1 cup of stock and coconut milk. Set aside.

Next in a separate pan, saute (with olive oil) the onion till transparent, add garlic, ginger, chili and cook till fragrant, finally add chopped tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.

Now, add the tomato mixture to the blender with the cash nut mixture and pulverize till smooth. pour over the cooked lentils, add tinned brown lentils and simmer over heat till mixture thickens.

Now layer it,

In a casserole dish layer a layer of potatoes, next eggplant, tomatoes, sauce. Repeat till the dish is full. If you have leftovers, then layer another dish :).

Bake in oven at 200° for 40 to 50 mins.

Take out of oven, allow to cool.. Then eat it!! I served mine with chopped Chinese cabbage.

Love and happiness,

Katri x

Cabbage Soup (Diet?)

July 18, 2018 KatriLeave a comment

Cabbage soup 2

I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last night. The Rotten Tomatoes reviews aren’t very good for that movie, however, I find that most people who write reviews try too hard and only like complex art house movies and reject anything main stream or feel good. Like all those people who pretend to understand and respect rubbish art because they’re too afraid to say they have no idea whats going on.

Anyway, I love that movie, I love the long board scene. Mostly I just love this idea that an ordinary guy (girl) can suddenly be thrust into adventure. Always be open to a little adventure. It’s a big world out there, there’s always more.. always.

As I write this I’m enjoying cabbage soup for breakfast. I remember when I was a teenager the Cabbage Soup Diet was all the rage and making the rounds promising quick weight-loss. I even tried it, starved for a whole week. The actual soup is pretty nice though, watery, doesn’t leave you feeling full or bloated. I made a version in the slow cooker a couple of days ago. However, this time I’m enjoying it with a sneaky bit of garlic bread.

Ingredients

1/2 head of cabbage (chopped)
1 cup of carrot (diced)
1 cup of celery (diced)
1 brown onion (diced)
4 cups of veg stock
2 cans of chopped tomatoes
1 tsp of oregano
1/2 tsp of paprika
Touch of black pepper
Sprinkle of salt

Method

Cabbage soup

Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker on high for 6 hours

Keeps in the fridge for about 3 days.. If you want to do the actual diet:

Eat as much cabbage soup as you like! And..

Day 1 – Eat only fruits, except bananas
Day 2 – Start the day with a baked potato, then only non-starchy vegetables
Day 3 – Only fruits and vegetables (expect starchy ones or bananas)
Day 4 – Only bananas, yogurt (can be vegan) and milk (or alternative)
Day 5 – Only tomatoes and proteins
Day 6 – only veggies (no starchy ones) and proteins
Day 7 – Only fruits, vegetables and juices (no bananas or starchy vegetables)

Either-way, cabbage is loaded with nutrients and is super healthy so get it in ya!

cabbage

Katri x

Quinoa

July 10, 2018 KatriLeave a comment

Yum what a super food. I’ve had few days of relaxing and eating junk, however you can start to feel pretty slack after a while, weighed down and bloated. Now as a gluten-free vegan it’s not burgers and pizza that I’ve been feasting on, but processed rubbish and chips, you know the drill. Anyway university goes back next week, I’ve got heaps of work to do, kids to raise and gym workouts to get to.

Ninja Warrior is on at the moment, and if that’s not an inspiration to get back to healthy eating I don’t know what is. Anyway, I’m having quinoa with steam veg for lunch today, and as my main meal. Quinoa

Quinoa has twice the protein content of rice or barley, quinoa is also a very good source of calcium, magnesium and manganese. It also contributes useful levels of several B vitamins, vitamin E and dietary fiber. And it’s a good gluten-free alternative to other grains. Nom nom.

Ingredients

Steamed broccoli and cauliflower florets.
1 cup of red organic quinoa (follow the instructions on the pack, or double amount of salted water to the amount of quinoa, bring to boil and simmer for 10-15mins. I cook mine in vegetable stock, adds flavour).
1/2 a sliced avocado
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon.

Method

Bang it all together once all the elements are prepared.

Nom nom

Katri x

Butter Chick(en)pea

July 4, 2018 Katri1 Comment

I got to work early this morning. Decided to have breakfast at my desk. Curry and potatoes. I’m trying out his new thing where I eat only 1 meal a day and maybe a fruit snack or something in-between.

The discussions around the office this morning where related to a young lady who was killed at the hands of her partner. With comments like this floating around:

“So I hate to say this, but have you seen the pictures of that girl, she looks much older, pulling duck faces and dressing inappropriately”

Which got the reply:

“There’s always a reason”

Comments like this aren’t uncommon when females are brutally murdered, raped or maimed. People start looking at them with a critical eye, trying to find some reason that they might be responsible for their own demise. As though, somehow, murder, rape and acid attacks are less severe if someone was “asking for it”. Similar comments where expressed last week when a woman was raped and murdered in Princess Park Melbourne.

“Why was she walking on her own, how irresponsible”.

These might not be the sentiments of the news coverage or the people who work in protective industries, but it is the sentiments I hear from everyday people. Anyway, call it out.

We can’t force progress. Attitudes, ignorance and opinions change with time and exposure. What we can do is warm our souls and bellies with yummy food. This Butter Chick(en)pea was really great even though the pics make it look a little gluggish. 🙂

Sauce Ingredients

1 tablespoon of oil
1 large brown onion (chopped)
3 tablespoons of chopped ginger
3 tablespoons of minced garlic (or a few cloves crushed)
1 tablespoon of garam masala
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 tablespoon of ground coriander
1 tablespoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of chili powder
5 cardamon pods
1 tin of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup of coconut milk
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of cashews (soaked and blended to create a rough paste)
3 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tin of chickpeas
2 cups of any chopped veg you like (I used zucchini)

Let’s Cook!

Heat the oil in a pan, once hot saute the onion until it is soft. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for a minute more.
Next add all the spices, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili and cardamon pods, stir until fragrant.
Add the tomatoes and water. Scrape the pan to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom. bring to the boil then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
Pour all the ingredients into a blender from the pan, with the cashews and blend until smooth.
Return the blended sauce to the pan, add the coconut milk, and sugar and chickpeas and veg, heat till happy with the state of veg.. Serve!

Katri x

Eat your Veggies.. if you’re game.

June 14, 2017June 14, 2017 KatriLeave a comment

Today I was sitting at work and listening to a conversation in the tea room about people’s diets. Diets seem awfully exhausting. Weighing your meals, eating pre-packed processed junk (disguised as health food), low carb, low sugar, one girl is eating only bacon and eggs for a whole week. Apparently encouraged by her personal trainer (no doubt a self proclaimed nutrition expert who lives on a solid diet of animal parts and the occasional avocado).

Now this is all well and good. More power to you. But what I find alarming and increasingly making it’s way around the diet grape vines is the demonetisation of fruits and veggies. Some claiming they won’t eat any fruits because they contain too much sugar, bananas? a complete no no. Avocado and nuts are too fattening and should be excluded. Today I was told that pumpkin and carrots are out, way too many carbs and sugar. There goes my last two days of eating carrot, ginger and pumpkin soup, thought the worst that could happen was I’d turn a balmy shade of orange. Potatoes (as you’ve probably already heard) is way out there with other untouchables. Poor guy who only ate potatoes for a year and lowered his blood pressure, cholesterol and increased his overall health, if only he’d known how dangerous they were when he started.

I’m no expert, but you don’t have to have a PhD in nutrition to know that fruits and veggies contain vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Known to fight cancer and are encouraged as a part of a healthy diet. I’ve never heard someone say that their Doctor told them to cut back on fruit and veg and replace it with a protein shake.

Of-course, I eat a plant based diet so apart from my legumes and occasional sweet, it’s fruit and veg that make up the bulk. But for those of you who don’t, go pick up an apple (or two), go for a walk, relax, throw away the scales and enjoy the sunshine on your skin.

Let’s stop the war on fruits and veggies!

Capture — I even made this awesome pic, thanks paint shop pro!

And, always be suspicious when someone’s out to make a buck.

Katri x

Strawberry and Rhubarb Kiisseli

July 14, 2015July 18, 2018 KatriLeave a comment

University has gone back this week and as a mother and a student I find myself playing catch up most semesters, because I can’t seem to get organised. It might also be an addiction to deadlines, I’m not sure. But this semester I am planning to do all my readings, get started on assignments early, all while pretending to be super mum and working on my business. People only know what you tell them right?? Anyway while My studies are back on, my chipmunks are still on school holidays and buzzing with boredom and energy. I’ve decided to add fuel to fire by mixing up a quick, sweet and sugary desert from the motherland. Taking advantage of the hearty rhubarb bush growing at the back of the garden. While Strawberries aren’t traditionally a winter fruit, rhubarb seems to be hearty enough to source locally in the winter time. My strawberries are from Queensland so the food mileage isn’t too detrimental. However do try to cook in season when using fresh fruits and vegetables where you can. Minimize your foot print. Kiisseli is a popular dessert in Finland.

Here’s how I make mine,

Strawberry and Rhubarb Kiisseli ingredients

6 rhubarb stalks (chopped)
250g of whole strawberries (quartered)
2 cups of sugar
5 cups of water
4 tablespoons of corn flour
the juice of 1 orange

Let’s Cook!

Pour the sugar and 4 cups of water into a large saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer till the sugar dissolves
Add the rhubarb and simmer for 5 mins
Next add the strawberries and orange juice, simmer on low for 8 mins
Now in a separate cup mix 1 cup of cold water with the corn flour
Then slowly pour the cornflour mixture into the saucepan, mixing it through, the sauce should begin to thicken
Remove from heat and and allow to cool (or you can enjoy it warm)