Eliminate sugar = Eliminate PMT

I suffer from incredibly bad PMT, my doctors even suspect it may be PMDD.
Monday it started but I can't believe the difference not having sugar has made. It's stunned me...previous months of PMT have left me feeling:
depressed
insecure
low self esteem
angry
irritable
shortness of breath
crying
unable to focus
extremely tired with heavy legs
stressed
no patience
visual distortions
confused
mood swings
clumsiness
binge eating
feeling lost and alone

.....and a few more symptoms that just make that one week unbearable.
I've been known to eat half a box of crunchy nut or a whole pack of biscuits post-menstrual.

I really think it has got to be thanks to the sugar but this month I've only had the following symptoms:
unable to focus
heavy legs occassionally
slightly less patience

!!! That's it! I'm overjoyed. This is coming from someone who has taken various medications for it such as calcium, magnesium, 5htp etc.
Now I have been taking evening primrose oil, spirulina, vitamin b&d for a while now so I don't think it's anything to do with those, as I took them before but still felt awful.
I'd recommend to anyone who suffers from PMT or PMDD to eliminate sugar completely from their diet. The results are amazing. I feel normal!

I'm also finding it easier to sleep from cutting out sugar, plus I've not had any lower back/fingers/toes pain.
I'm in love with natural yoghurt with honey or maple syrup drizzled over with fruit...soo soo good! The yoghurt is doing wonders for my skin and hair.

PS. I've been avoiding wheat too and my stomach looks flatter than it has in ages for it! Try it!

no sugar update!

I haven't had any sugar since my post! I'm feeling good and I haven't had any lower back pain or toe/finger aching in the morning, plus I have steady energy all day and am eating better. Not to mention people have commented that I've lost weight already!

Here's my favourite sweet snack to pick me up...

Lovely thick Greek yoghurt with chopped apples and maple syrup. Delicious!!

What I ate today..

So today I ate pretty healthily. Everything sugar free

Breakfast - Muesli with grated apple and soya milk

Snacks - grapes, a satsuma

Lunch -Jacket potato with leftover home grown veggie & peanut butter stew & cheese.

Dinner- Vegetable & mung bean curry with brown basmati rice

Dessert - brown rice, sultanas, pumpkin seeds, date syrup and soya milk all mixed in a little cup mmm delicious!

So together with a long walk in the park and lots of tidying, plus yoga tonight I will be on track with getting trimmer and healthier! No festive flab for me thank-you very much.

Some recipe's I want to try!

Blueberry almond polenta breakfast

Oven fried Okra for nibbling

Peruvian Sopa de Quinoa

Sugar & wheat free fig cake

No more sugar!

Ok I admit it, I've not been trying very hard to be healthy. Over the last two days I've had 8 hot chocolates..and a mars bar! I woke up with terrible lower left back pain and aches in my fingers and toes. Plus I've been irritable and feeling down recently. I'm sure it's from the sugar.

It's like I've forgotten everything my doctor told me! He told me to cut back on sugar and to eat wholegrains and nibble throughout the day to keep my blood sugar levels healthy.

 So that's it! I'm off the sugar now and forever. I don't want to get diabetes that runs in my family. I don't want my skin to look older than it is and I don't want to have to deal with aches and mood swings and energy crashes.

I want to be healthy and full of energy and happy!

Here's what I'll be avoiding:

1. Sugar
2. Wheat
3. Caffeine

Here's what I'll be enjoying:

1. Fruit 
2. Brown rice, quinoa and oats
3. Lots of lovely water

Oats, I have no problem with, a bowl of porridge in the morning helps keep me satisfied until lunchtime with no energy crashes or lethargy.
Lunch is usually soup or rice and vegetables with hummus and salad.
For dinner I usually have omelette or some other light, low carb meal.

But most of all NO sugar!!!

I'll keep you updated.

Good and bad news...plus healthy breakfast ideas

Today I got the results of a blood test I had a few weeks back for diabetes and blood sugar.
The results came back ok but the doctor mentioned something about a higher than normal cvt (I think)..Anyway this means my red blood cells are larger than normal. When we were talking about my food diary I mentioned that when I had bread I was feeling sluggish and he said straight away that this could be because I may be a celiac, as high cvt and celiac is somehow linked.
So basically I had some more blood taken and will know the results in a few days. It wouldn't surprise me if I do turn out to be a celiac as I get so sleepy after having wheat plus bread makes me bloated and gives me bags under my eyes.

I'm contemplating giving up being vegan, my list of foods I can't eat is getting bigger!
It includes:

1. sugar
2. meat
3. dairy
4. eggs
5. wheat

I'm sure there is more, but I'm considering introducing eggs and fish back into my diet. I can't have dairy as I'm lactose intolerant of course so I'd still be eating very well...could anyone give me any comments, advice or support? I would really appreciate it. Thank-you.

Meanwhile, here are a few vegan breakfast ideas, should I choose to remain vegan as the only thing I'll miss is my porridge in the mornings..click the captions for the links to the site and recipe.

Quinoa cinnamon breakfast bowl

Pancakes!

Vegan rice pudding

Tofu Frittata

Healthy salad bowl

quinoa-breakfast-brownies

Sweet potato with yoghurt  and walnuts

Fronch toast

 After seeing so many options, I'm feeling more confident and happy that I can remain vegan and still eat a wide variety of foods. Just have to remember to cook some rice, sweet potato or quinoa before I go to bed!

I made almond milk!

I've always wanted to make my own nut milk and after doing so, I felt such a sense of achievement!
Not sure why really, as I've made more difficult dishes before but this just gave me such a sense of accomplishment and once I drank it and appreciated that I had made it myself and therefore knew everything that went into it without having to worry about dodgy carrageenan and all that miscellaneous junk that I don't particularly want inside me.

As an added bonus, when making almond milk you are left with the "pulp" which is great for smoothies or just eating with agave nectar or honey stirred through as a sweet protein rich treat.
I'll never go back to buying almond milk now I know how easy and economical making your own really is.

Ingredients
1/2 cup of almonds, soaked overnight in water
Agave and / or salt to taste

Method
Place almonds along with 5 cups of water in a blender (you may need to do this in two batches) with your salt and or agave.
Blend for around a minute until you have a frothy white liquid.
Strain this through a muslin cloth and that's it!

Banana bread breakfast smoothie recipe.

I needed something a bit more filling in my morning smoothie and thought of quinoa!
Quinoa is one of my favourite foods for its protein and the fact that it contains all the amino acids plus loads of other nutrients that compliment a vegan diet very well.

In the blender I chucked in some ready cooked quinoa, a glass of almond milk, a ripe banana, some agave nectar and a pinch of cinnamon. It's a delicious and wholesome breakfast treat. Try it for yourself!

Ooh I also added a tablespoon of this awesome seed powder mix stuff.

I have to make this OLIVE OIL AND MAPLE GRANOLA recipe

OLIVE OIL AND MAPLE GRANOLA

This recipe was featured on This site (click for recipe).

Food52 is one of the best foodie sites I've seen and I love all the recipe contests that they have, not that I enter any...maybe I will one day. But for now I'll dream about eating this granola.

Happy Kitchen Chocolate Brownie Review!

This chocolate brownie is unbelievable!
100% made from plants, rich in coconut oil and sweetened with fruit juice.
I was expecting a more fruity flavour, like those dried fruit and nut raw bars you get that have exciting sounding flavours on the label but really all taste the same.
This was a very exciting change. It's rich, gooey and feels decadent and naughty...not vegan in the slightest! I've had non vegan packed brownies that didn't taste anywhere near as good as this!
I'd happily pay the £1.50 too so its good value.
The hint of sea salt really brings out the depth of the cocoa, I love it!!

My awesome trail mix and quinoa breakfast recipe.

There it is! Behold the delicious goodness of this trail mix!
I always have some trail mix in my cupboard. It's great for stirring into porridge and grazing on.
This morning I was stuck as to what to have for breakfast as I had no milk alternatives. I did, however have some leftover quinoa.
I thinly sliced an apple, plated it up with the quinoa, drizzled with agave nectar and then sprinkled liberally with my trail mix. It was very tasty and hit the spot.

My trail mix had toasted coconut, cashews, chewy banana coins, dates, lots of seeds, dried apple, cranberries and anything else I can get my hands on, it all goes in.

Do you make your own trail mix? If so, what delights do you put in it?

Sorry its been so quiet..

I've been super busy recently. I turned vegan about 3 months ago. This was pretty tough to start with and I had problems with my blood sugar and over-ate, put on weight and was depressed.
Then I tried spirulina for the first time and I was just like "where have you been all my life" it is amazing. I was recommended to keep a food diary from the doctors and to cut out sugar completely. I discovered through my diary that every time I was having food with yeast in, I was bloated, sleepy and had bags under my eyes the next day. So now finding stuff to eat is pretty tricky (That's vegan, no sugar or yeast!) I do love a good challenge though. Back to the spirulina - it really is incredible stuff. I've got more energy than I can ever remember having, my skin and hair are just ridiculously awesome and my constant appetite and thoughts of food 24/7 have all calmed down, I'm returning to my normal weight, and I can safely say I'm back to my happy self again.

Here is a typical day of what I eat.
8am - Smoothie or porridge with super protein powder, banana, apple, almond milk, dates, flaxseeds.
11am - I have either some more smoothie or a piece of fruit to keep my blood sugars stable.
2pm - Lunch at work, usually quinoa, lentils, daikon radish, carrots, seeds, hummus, that kind of thing.
5pm - More fruit
6:30pm - Dinner of tagine, stir fry, sushi, curry ...list goes on!

So there you have it. I also drink a lot of herbal tea and iced water with lemon (no caffeine), cycle to work everyday, work out 4 times a week and take spirulina 3 times a day.

I feel AMAZING!

I've recommended spirulina to two friends and they have thanked me so much because it is just wonderful stuff. Here are some of the benefits.

"an amazing wholefood supplement containing over 100 easily-absorbed, life-enhancing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Gram for gram it has more bioavailable protein than meat, fish, eggs, cheese and is the closest thing to mother’s milk in nutritional value. Also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium and trace minerals and has more GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) than Evening Primrose Oil. You feel more energised and your blood-sugar levels become more balanced helping you lose or gain weight, whatever you need."


"Spirulina is a single-celled blue green algae that has the highest protein content of any natural food and is densely packed with over 100 vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and phytonutrients. This highly energising organism has been heralded as one of the key foods for the future. * Spirulina is 65% protein and contains all the essential amino acids * Spirulina contains the entire anti-oxidant spectrum * Spirulina contains 58 times more biochelated iron than raw spinach * Spirulina contains 25 times more beta-carotene that raw carrots! * Spirulina complements Chlorella as a dietary supplement and they are often taken together. Amazing facts * Spirulina is Nature's richest whole-food source of the entire anti-oxidant spectrum including: beta-carotene, vitamin E, selenium, methionine, cysteine, super oxide dismutase, glutathionine, peroxides, copper, manganese, zinc, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, and B-6. It is the only source of phycocyanin, an immune stimulant. * Spirulina contains 58 times the amount of biochelated iron than raw spinach and 28 times richer than raw beef liver. * Spirulina contains 3 times the amount of Vitamin E than raw wheat germ, and its action in the body is 49% greater than that of synthetic vitamin E. * Spirulina is nature's richest source of beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A). It's 25 times higher than raw carrots! * Spirulina is nature's richest source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). It's 3 times richer than evening primrose! The polyunsaturated oils in Spirulina contain 21% GLA (GLA is the active ingredient in evening primrose oil - evening primrose oil contains up to 10% GLA). * Spirulina is a rich whole food source of chlorophyll - equal to that of alfalfa or wheat-grass."




If you want to read more, you can always head over to my main blog which I update much more frequently.

Azuki bean pasta salad recipe!

After basking in the patch of sun coming in through my window today, I became inspired to create a delicious pasta salad. This is now my favourite!
Ingredients-
100g pasta
1 tin Azuki (or any other) beans
1 stalk celery
1 avocado
1 tin sweetcorn
3 sundried tomatoes (in oil)
Handful fresh coriander
Handful spinach
1/2 lemon juice
2 tbsp tahini
Glug of garlic olive oil
1 tsp sweet smoked Paprika
Sea salt and pepper
Cook the pasta and mix with everything else (finely chopped ) in a bowl then serve!

Amazing everything super energizing smoothies recipe!

I've been feeling sluggish this week with moving house and bring super busy, I needed something to perk me up! Here's a few things I had in my kitchen and threw together to make the first of many more smoothies to come...with dates, coconut oil and matcha - super kaboom ingredients to get you going. It tastes fantastic too! I'm going to have one before capoeira tonight and the other for breakfast tomorrow with a sprinkle of linwoods amazing superfood seed mix. Enjoy!   

1tsp matcha
6 dates
1 Apple
1 plum
Handful spinach
1/2 glass soy milk
Thumb sized ginger
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 clementine
1 banana
2 stalks celery

Chop it all up and blend together for a truly delicious, addictive &  wholesome ( ...three words you rarely hear together) smoothie! Mmm

Vegan decadent chocolate cake recipe

Here is a recipe I made for a vegan persons birthday!

120g banana
100g oil
Few juicy dates
200 g sugar
100g melted dark chocolate
A double espresso
1 tbsp cocoa
300 g flour
1/2 tsp xantham gum
3 tsp baking powder

Method.
Combine all but last 3 ingredients and mix really well.
Add rest of ingredients then if too dry add soy milk to a wet cakey batter.
Cook til a knife comes put clean when poked in the middle. (180 degrees)

Icing.
Mix 2 tbsp cocoa, 4 tbsp icing sugar and soy milk together til smooth then smooth over chilled cake.

Enjoy! This works well with any milk alternative :)

Tasty, quick and easy sweet carrot snack.

Here is a delicious healthy snack for those times when you crave a little sweet treat.
Simply grate some carrots, heat in a pan with raisins and cardamon til softened but not mushy.
Dry fry nuts and seeds of your choice.
Combine all together and drizzle with honey or agave!
Enjoy this wholesome tasty snack!

Step away from the tv / phone / book!

Everyone says it but have you ever actually tried it?
Today I stopped doing things that distracted me from eating. I ate breakfast away from my pc.
I ate lunch without browsing the net on my phone. I ate dinner with complete concentration to the food I wad eating and do you know what? I've not felt that satisfied after a meal in ages. I'm no longer worried about bingeing as I'm eating less because my body knows when I'm full. I'm no longer tempted to snack too. This is a revelation! Listen to this advice for food satisfaction!

Thai prawn and noodle Laksa recipe!

The other evening I decided to cook this for my auntie and niece.

They were both impressed, its very delicious and full of wholesome ingredients.

♥Fry some onion and green thai paste in a pan. Add more garlic or ginger here if you wish.

♥Add coconut milk, fish stock and noodles and cook til noodles have softened

♥Add prawns and simmer for two minutes

♥Add pak choi, beansprouts and spring onions, wait two minutes

♥Add coriander and lime and serve!

 kitchen helper optional but recommended :)

Energibbles!

My aunt made some of these high energy and protein balls for me!

They are very easy to make and you can find many different recipes for them.

Blend together some nuts of your choice

Add dried fruit of your choice (soak overnight if tough)

Blend together til it becomes sticky.

Roll into a ball! Enjoy!!

Here are some variations I'd like to try:

♥ Brazil nut, orange zest and cacao

♥ Cranberry and coconut

♥ Hemp seed and honey

Have you made these before? Any recipes you'd like to share I'd love to hear them!

Raw chocolate and hempseed spread PLUS matcha!!

I've been craving chocolate recently and looking for more ways to up my protein intake.
I've stopped eating cake and other sweet foods as they make me come out in spots!
Luckily for me then, that I noticed this jar in my favourite health shop!

To be honest the taste isn't great BUT it satisfies my chocolate craving and it gives me a lot of energy and the protein means a teaspoon of it fills me up straight away!
It tastes very seedy with a hint of sweetness from the agave.
I can go on and on about how great hemp is for you but you probably are already aware. So I'd recommend trying this product out if you are in a  similar situation to me.

I recently purchased some macha on amazon as it was reduced from 18.99 to 11.99 for 100g.
I made a green tea cake for my friends birthday using it and thought I'd try a little in my tea. I added about half a teaspoon to my tea and I couldn't believe how much energy I had afterwards! I was so wired, I cycled all the way to my friends and back and was just...buzzing!
This would be great for a night out if you are worried about lasting those crazy parties that go on until the morning! Plus everyone loved the cake!

Green tea update!

 I've been drinking green or herbal teas instead of black recently. I haven't needed to sweeten them at all and noticed that without sugary drinks, my sweet tooth vanished! I no longer crave cakes and chocolate!
I'm so happy about this and decided to share the news with anyone else who can't get enough sweet treats!

Potato spinach and chickpea curry recipe!

This is a family dish that I grew up eating a lot of. I made it at work the other day and everyone loved it!
Thanks to my auntie for the recipe, this is very authentic home cooking at its best - Pakistani style.
I've adapted the recipe by changing the quantities so you can try it for yourself at home. Great for fighting off a cold.

Ingredients
2 Onions
1/2 thumb sized Ginger
2 Garlic clove
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Coriander
1/2 tsp Chilli
Few Potatoes - cubed
Bag Spinach
1 Tin Chickpea

Method

1. Chop onions and place in a hot pan of oil (not olive), season with salt.
2. Whilst the onion is browning chop your garlic and ginger, once your onions are golden, add to pan.
3. Toast your cumin and coriander then crush together with chilli and turmeric, add to pan.
4. Cook for 5 or so minutes longer than add the potato, turning occasionally.
5. Finally when potato is soft, add your spinach and chickpeas.
6. Check the seasoning and serve! Enjoy 

Indian spiced sweet potato vegetable bake recipe

Today I made this delicious and healthy vegetable bake.  Here is a simple recipe. No measurements, sorry, but its a good guide and you can adjust it to your own taste.

•  Mash together sweet and regular potatoes. 
•  Roast some slices of red pepper and aubergine.
•  Toast some cumin, coriander and kalonji seeds.
•  Blend together garlic and ginger then add the spices
•  Fry some onions til golden then add the spice paste and fry for a minute more.
•  Combine the onions with the mash then layer in a casserole tray with the roasted vegetables. 
•  Bake until crunchy on top..Enjoy!

This is a very versatile recipe and it goes beautifully with some mango chutney. Many vegetables could be substituted for the aubergine and peppers, such as spinach, okra or tomatoes. 

I'm going to start drinking green tea

Instead of my normal black tea. This is mainly because I've switched from soya to coconut milk for my cereals and in black tea it tastes pretty awful! Green tea also speeds up your metabolism and its delicious too.

I've purchased a spiralizer!

I can't wait to use it! These are great for transforming salads and vegetable dishes. Vegetable spaghetti is a great alternative to the pasta variety, not only all the extra nutrients but also for time saving! I'm excited about trying it out. 

Does anyone else have one? Got any tips to share?? 

Raw chocolate brownies - To do recipe...

I saw this amazing looking recipe over on the Raw food recipes website and I simply have to make them...and soon!! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes and post pictures too so check back often.

Fructose = Poison!

I recently watched a lecture about sugar and I was shocked by some of the facts and issues raised. Watch it yourself by clicking here. It will change the way you look at sugar, especially fructose.

A simple noodle dinner.

I purchased these scallop noodles from an international supermarket. They contain real scallop juices and taste delicious, even on their own. Plus they are not fried, like the unhealthy versions, so much better for you. After boiling the noodles I simply tossed in a little sesame oil.
I then steamed some courgette and french beans and dry fried some cashews and seeds.
Once it was all plated up I added a couple of slices ripe avocado then drizzled over some dark soy sauce...Delicious simple meal

Carrot and Coconut Cake Recipe.

Here's a recipe for this delicious and healthy carrot cake with no added fat or sugar!

Full of tasty little chunks, these are a joy to eat.
Coconut milk is used because the containing oil helps remove excess fat from your body!

This makes a lot - enough for 12 muffins and some left over for a small loaf tin.

Or you could use a large cake tin.

Ingredients
450g grated carrots
100g desiccated coconut
50g seeds of your choice
100g chopped dates
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tin coconut milk
250g agave necter or honey
5 eggs
300g self raising wholewheat flour

Method
Combine first five ingredients in a bowl.
In a seperate bowl, mix the next three ingredients then add to the first bowl of carrotty yumminess
Add the flour, stir well.
Bake at 180 degrees until cooked (various tins require different cooking times)