Melbourne Grand Prix

This Sunday I concluded that if I ever have a son, I hope he never becomes a race car driver :/ Yup, this weekend was the Australian Grand Prix Forumla 1 race. Melbourne is serious about their sports, which I like. Compared to other parts of Australia, Melbourne is known for their "footy" teams, swimming, cycling, and rowing. Cycling shops are literally everywhere, there is one next door to my condo, go figure.

It was a gorgeous day for the Grand Prix, warm with a comfortable breeze. Although I don't know much anything about racing, or cars for that matter :/, I got pretty into it with a new Red Bull racing hat and immediate crush for Mark Webber.

The race opened with black hawk helicopters and a Quantas Airplane. It sounds lame, but the helicopters did some pretty impressive turns, which had me fearing for my life at one point.

Alex was hard core into the race and didn't move or sit down once! I definitely took a couple sit-down and bathroom breaks..it was hot and so unbelievably LOUD!
The F1 cars were so ridiculously fast I could barely take a photo! A top speed is around 315km an hour..yikes!

Despite a slight ringing in my ear and sunburn on my nose, I really enjoyed the race! It was fun to be a part of the crowd, scope out the race gear, and see something new...even if that something was F1 racing cars.

Tonight I'm baking organic gluten-free muesli bars with walnuts, coconut, and dried bananas! Yes, dried bananas! I can't wait to see how they turn out..delicious I suspect ;) I'll ensure to share them with you tomorrow!

Nighty night (and good morning to those in Canada),

Surprise from home

Mail delivery (for the second time this week)! The first was a box of delicious treats from Loving Earth. And the second was from home <3 My mom sent me a big box stuffed with all sorts of goodies. She was originally just supposed to send me sweaters, as it's getting cooler in Melbourne, but to my surprise and delight my plain ol' sweaters were at the bottom of the box ;)

My Mommy sent me Easter treats, some David'sTea, including the entire Spring Collection, princess silly bandz (these made me extra happy!), a couple wind-up toys (random, but cute), fuzzy socks, a few Pure+Simple products, and of course my sweaters! She also included an Easter card, which made me nostalgic and miss Toronto.

Easter is a big celebration at my house; in fact, every year we have an Easter egg hunt! Yes, I realize I am 22-years-old..but one cannot deny how fun it is to run around the house for chocolate eggs. Keyword, chocolate ;) Since I won't be home for Easter this year, my Mom ensured to send me another Jelly Cat bunny (Yes, I already have one. His name is Rabbi) and an Easter chicky! PS - Jelly Cat stuffed animals are the softest most cuddliest things in the world. 22 going on 12, perhaps? I'm okay with that. 

The package came at the perfect time too. I was plugging away on my laptop, exhausted and on the brink of stress. It's been a long week and I haven't had much time to myself, aside from studying at the library :/ So when Alex opened the door at 9pm, with a big box under his arm, I practically threw my laptop and did a little happy dance. Luckily, my package was left with our concierge and I didn't have to pick it up from a post office ;)

Thanks, Ma! This put a great big smile on my face <3

To my friends and family back home, I love you and miss you! 

Sending everyone a little Aussie sunshine,

Love for Loving Earth - product review

Mail delivery! Yesterday I received a special package from Loving Earth. Hands down, it was the perfect start to my week.

Loving Earth is a Melbourne based company dedicated to sourcing high quality organic and "wildcrafted functional foods" from around the world. Superfoods galore! Loving Earth prides itself on making these high quality foods available to their customers in a way that honors both the people who cultivated them as well as the earth and ecosystem in which they're grown.

Loving Earth products caught my eye when I first moved in Melbourne and began scoping out health food stores within a 10k radias of me ;) The array of their high-quality superfoods helped to fill my void for Whole Foods and gourmet health food products, which are only available back home. I miss my Vega Products and Lara bars! Alas, I've discovered new and delicious treats from local companies such as Loving Earth, Emma & Tom, and Spiral Foods.

My first Loving Earth purchase was the dark agave syrup. Packaged in a glass bottle, the syrup is deep and rich in taste, more so than other agave syrups I've tasted. From that moment on I was hooked, or perhaps Loving Earth was destined to invade my kitchen? :P

Now my goodie cupboard is stocked with Loving Earth cacao powder, cacao nibs, coconut sugar, goji berries, and mesquite powder. So naturally, I was ecstatic to receive more goodies to try and add to my existing collection ;)

Loving Earth generously sent me one bag of raw organic yellow kale chips, one tin of maca powder, and one bag of Australian bee pollen! I couldn't wait to try these, especially the maca powder after reading Joy's post on the benefits of maca powder.

Conveniently it was snack time, so I eagerly opened the bag of kale chips!

Jackpot. These chips are perfectly "cheesy" with carrot, coriander, and cashews. Unlike most kale chips, salt is not the main ingredient. Loving Earth also uses himalayan crystal salt, which I like. Again, that quality factor ;) I had to restrain myself from eating the entire bag.

Next up was the Western Australian Bee Pollen. I've never had bee pollen before so I was intrigued to try this one. Bee pollen is a popular and readily available Aussie superfood. When I opened the bag I was surprised to see perfectly tiny "pollen" granules, which smelled a bit like honey. I popped a few in my mouth and concluded it would be excellent on top of soy yogurt with berries! Bee pollen is a natural energizer containing a wide range of vitamins, nutrients, and even protein. Some studies believe it reduces the aging process. Alex said it tasted awesome in his breakfast smoothie, so I'll try adding a heading tsp to my post-workout smoothie tomorrow.

I'll be sure to post some smoothie recipes with both bee pollen and maca powder soon!

My Loving Earth collection..

Thank you Loving Earth team! I think I know what my Canadian friends will want for Aussie souvenirs...anyone? :p

Check out www.lovingearth.net for a complete list of Loving Earth products.

Loving Earth also has a Flickr page with beautiful photos of their superfoods being harvested. These three are my favourites...

Fresh maca just harvested.

 A beautiful goji berry tree!

Cacao flowers blooming

What are your favourite superfoods? Anything new and exciting that you've tried lately? 

Mexico in Melbourne

Happy Sunday! How was your weekend?

Mine was enjoyable and highly productive, thank goodness. Friday night I saw the play "A Behanding in Spokane" at the Melbourne Theatre Company, which was absolutely hilarious. I have a great appreciation for theatre, largely because I acted in every one of my High Schools productions. Yes, a little drama queen in the making. One I acted in the Sears Ontario Drama Festival and my group won the "Best Ensamble Award". Fun fact of the day ;)

The rest of my weekend included exercise, errands, essays, and a quick trip to Mexico. Actually, every Sunday for the past month, Alex and I have been travelling to mexico aka we cook mexican cuisine. I think it's because we're obsessed with avocado, black beans, and dip-style foods. But who isn't?

This. Was. Epic. Mexican layer salad anyone?

We started with a big batch of guacamole..well, duh. Other side kicks included chopped lettuce, brown rice with red pepper, and shredded cheese (for Alex). 

A little taste of mexico - mexican layer salad

• 1 bag tortilla corn chips (I used Mission gluten-free tortilla chips)
• 1 cup (approx) black bean dip (see below)
• 1 cup (approx) guacamole 
• 1 cup brown rice 
• 1 tbsp mexican seasoning (for brown rice)
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• organic medium salsa
• 4-5 large romaine leaves, chopped
• Mozzarella cheese (optional)
• Lime wedges, for garnish

This recipe couldn't be easier! Start by cooking your rice (with seasoning) according to the packaged directions. While your rice is cooking, prepare your black bean dip (see below), guac, and additional salad toppings. I used lettuce, red pepper, and lots of salsa!

Once your rice is done, dips are ready, and table is set, it's time to eat! "Layer" your salad any way you like. I piled mine with extra lettuce, guac, bean dip, salsa, brown rice with peppers, and a few chips. I also squeezed some extra lime on top.

Alex went all out with a whole lotta' everything and hot sauce drizzled around the edge. He went back for seconds, clearly ;)

Both the guacamole and black bean dip add such amazing texture and flavour to this salad. I heart black beans! Black beans are an excellent source of protein, iron, and cholesterol-lowering fiber. Particularly for women, black beans are an ideal source of iron during menstruation. Unlike red meat, black beans are low in calories and fat. I'm a big bean fan...and tonight black bean were the star of the show ;)

Black bean dip with jalapeno and green pepper

Serves 2

• 1 cup black beans (approximately 1 can)
• 1/2 jalapeno, minced
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp medium organic salsa or tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp cumin 
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• juice of 1 lime
• pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp EVO 
• Cilantro, for garnish 

In a food processor, process just over half of the black beans, lime, salsa, and pepper. Meanwhile, in a small pan on medium heat, lightly sauté your remaining ingredients - jalapeno, green pepper, garlic, and cumin - for approximately 5-7 minutes. Now add your pepper mixture to the the food processor and pulse until evenly distributed. Done! Poor your dip into a bowl and stir in the remaining black beans. This adds a nice chunky texture! If you prefer a smooth dip, simply add all the black beans to the food processor at the start. Garnish with cilantro (I didn't have any!). 

I also love avocado! And they're so good for you too..

We left Mexico happy and full! Until next Sunday...or maybe we'll visit Japan instead. 

What are your favourite types of cuisine? 

xo 

Healthy kick-start

This morning I woke up at 5am with killer cramps. Not fun -_- Two hours later I peeled myself out of bed and into the kitchen for a rescue remedy consisting of chamomile tea, magnesium, and a warm breakfast bowl. My breaky bowl = 1/2 oats, 1/2 quinoa, 1 tsp of almond butter, topped with organic rasins, cranberries, and coconut flakes. Incredibly satisfying.

After a few stretches, I logged onto to Skype and chatted with my best friend for a good hour, which really felt like 15 minutes. I miss her.

Around 9am it was time to face the light ;)

I laced-up my new kicks (slowly) and walked (surprisingly) to South Melbourne market for some chamomile tea (finished my last cup this morning!), soy yogurt, and a little produce. 

The market was quite compared to the weekends, but I didn't mind one bit. It was nice to take my time and snap photos without anyone bumping into me while reaching for bananas. 

When I arrived some vendors were still lining up their fruits and veggies. Grapes are in season and cheap cheap cheap right now!

I foresee guacamole in the very near future so I got 2 for $3 avocados, just to be safe.

And three organic gala apples, just because :)

I left happy and excited for lunchtime LOL

In my grocery bag:

•  Local organic chamomile tea - I guess Aussies omit the "h" in Chamomile?
• Aduki beans 
• 3 organic gala apples
• 2 avocados 
• 1 pint local organic blueberries (in season! woo hoo!)
• soy yogurt
• Spiral organic salsa (amazing! Alex and I are obsessed)
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Baby spinach (roughy 450g)

Total = 24. 50

The sprouts were a great addition to my lunch! 

Baby spinach power salad

Ingredients

• Baby spinach
• 1/2 carrot, chopped
• 1/4 cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 avocado, cut into cubes
• Handful of sprouts
• Protein (I used two leftover organic falafels from last nights dinner, but you can add chickpeas, black beans, tofu, a hard boiled egg, or anything else in your fridge!)

Dressing

• Big lemon wedge, squeezed
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 
• Pepper to taste

Easy peasy and so delicious!

I'm glad I got my butt moving when I did. A healthy-kick start helped to curb my crappy sleep and ease my uncomfortable tummy. After lunch I worked for five straight hours, right until dinner. time. Productivity, much? ;)

Thankfully I feel much better now! And tomorrow is a new and pain-free day. Knock on wood.

Spotted: More veg friendly recipes and holistic beauty tips

• Don't know what to make for dinner? Try these meatless meals in minutes
• Like homemade almond butter? You might want to take a look at Angie's version of Maple cinnamon almond butter with hemp, flax, and chia seed (this looks unreal)
• Looking for an easy way to calm your senses and reduce inflammation? Try happy hibiscus tea
• Professional and natural hairstyling tips and products 

Childhood & Vegan Mac n' Cheese

Growing up my mom rarely bought processed or packaged foods. I never had a Big Mac (never will) and my first taste of soda pop wasn't until the third grade, at a friends birthday party. My mom also wouldn't allow me to leave the dinner table until my veggies were scraped clean and every last drop of milk was consumed. I love her for this, although as a squirmy six-year-old it was torture. One night my Dad walked by my bedroom door and heard me sleep talking... "Mommy, no more milk. No more milk, mommy!". True story.

However, growing up wasn't always peas, carrots, and endless calcium consumption, because on special days (aka my mom or nanny were too busy) my brother and I would get to bust out the ketchup for some delicious and not-so-nutritious Kraft Dinner.

This, on the other hand, doesn't even compare to the cheap boxed crap with god knows what as "cheese" flavouring :/. Get hungry because you might be here for a while.

Creamy Vegan Mac n "Cheese"

Lightly adapted by Oh She Glows

This mac n' cheese is not your average KD box. It's dairy-free and includes three veggies, healthy fat, and organic gluten-free pasta. Even without ketchup, I was an instant fan. 

Ingredients

• Approx 300 – 350 grams uncooked macaroni, shell pasta, or other (I used gluten-free shell pasta, which worked like a charm)
• 1 small potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• ½ small onion, peeled and chopped
• 1.5 cups raw cashews (soaked for an hour, if possible)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used ½ soy and ½ water as almond milk is so expensive here)
• 4 garlic cloves
• 6 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (also known as savory yeast flakes, found at most health food stores)
• 1 tsp regular mustard
• ¼ tsp turmeric (adds a deeper yellow colour)
• 1 slice whole wheat bread (I used 1 small whole wheat pita, as I had it on hand)
• 1 tbsp Earth Balance or other non-dairy butter
• Pepper to taste
• Paprika, to garnish the crunchy topping
• Fresh parsley, to garnish (optional, but it looks pretty and adds a nice flavour)

Note: There is no salt used in this recipe. Both the nutritional yeast and mustard compensate for any additional salt needed. You'll find I prefer to use minimal, if any, salt and oil in my cooking.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F (200C) and set aside a small casserole dish. In a medium sized pot add your chopped veggies (potato, carrot, onion) and enough water so the veggies are covered. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until fork tender.

Meanwhile, prepare your crunchy bread topping. Combine 1 slice of bread and 1 tbsp of non-dairy butter until crumbs forms form in a food processor. Place in a small bowl and move on to your cheese sauce (best part).

Begin your cheese sauce by adding the cashews to your food processor. Process until it’s broken down to crumbs then add the rest of your cheese sauce ingredients (almond milk, garlic, lemon, yeast, mustard, turmeric, and pepper).

Once your veggies are ready, drain and add to your cheese sauce mixture. Process until smooth and creamy. You may have to stop to scrap down the sides of your processor.

Cook your pasta according to packaged directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water.

Now for the best part, add your pasta back into the pot and mix in your cheese sauce. I added another splash of non-fat soymilk to make it extra creamy. Once your sauce is fully incorporated scoop into your casserole dish, sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture, garnish with paprika and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 350F (200C). Top with chopped parsley, Tabasco, or ketchup, and ENJOY!

Warm, creamy,  and perfectly "cheesy" on the inside, with a crispy-crunchy exterior. What's not to love?

After dinner I made myself a pot of organic peppermint tea to ease digestion and calm my carb overload :P

Tomorrow at 7AM I'm hitting my Uni gym for a weight circuit workout, then I'm spending the day reading and essay planning before two hours of class, from 5-7PM. It's a busy week, but fortunately tasty meals aren't falling short ;) 

Gotta be kid, gotta be KD vegan mac n' cheese.

What are your favourite or not-so-favourite childhood meals? Anything you've recreated to be a healthier option?

Party Planning

On Friday some friends and I hosted a baby shower for our dear friend and new mamma-to-be, Kari! We barbecued, baked, decorated, and celebrated the night with great food and even better conversation. With a little planning and plenty of helping hands the night was a great success.

Because we don't know if Kari is having a boy or girl (surprise baby!) we kept the theme neutral with lots of yellow, soft pastels, and veggies of course ;)

I put together a large veggie platter with a big bowl of homemade hummus and one of my favourite quinoa salad's.  Such a crowd pleaser! I also brought some juicy watermelon and incredibly rich homemade truffles, which I promise to share with you later! The recipe still needs a little tweaking ;)

My friend Erin made brownie cupcakes, which looked delicious! I was tempted, but steered clear due to the dairy. The daddy-to-be helped himself to seconds fourths so I think they were a success!

Everyone really enjoyed themselves, with gorgeous weather to boot. 

I love being able to see the oceans edge from our building. It reminds me that I'm actually here in Australia. That funny wave looking building below is the Southern Cross train station. 

Here is the daddy-to-be holding an "activity tiger" haha! Baby gifts are the best, far better (and safer) from my favourite toys in the 80's :/. I couldn't get enough of my jolly jumper. 

I will say that finding the right gender neutral gift was tricky!

Here is the beautiful mommy-to-be holding a bath toy holder thingy, which I assume will come in handy when bubs is a toddler. 

I settled on getting mamma-to-be a Burt's Bee's baby starter kit (handy for travel) and a matching "nighttime" set of booties, socks, mits, and hat. I tried to find one in my size, but no such luck.

Quick party planning tips:

• Send email invitations
  Convenient and better for the environment. I like using Evite.
• Team effort
  Just because you're "hosting" the party doesn't mean you have to be alone in the kitchen. Ask friends to help with the baking, decorations, or drinks!
• Take photos
  Don't forget to charge your camera and take photos of guests, food, gifts, etc
• A little goes a long way
  Whether it's decorative cupcakes or a card for everyone to sign, it's all in the little details.

Congratulations, Kari! I can't wait to see your new bundle of joy in a couple weeks! <3

Do you like to host parties? What are your favourite party planning tips?

Spelt Quinoa

One of the best things about living in a new city is exploring the various neighbourhoods and discovering hidden gems within them. A few weeks ago, en route to Veggie Bar (my favourite restaurant), Alex and I stumbled across Spelt Quinoa, an organic bulk health foods store located in Fitzroy. Jackpot!

Spelt Quinoa has a huge variety of grains, nuts, dried fruit, flours, and superfoods, all in bulk! I was in heaven. Not only is the quality A-grade, but the price point is incredibly affordable.

Welcome to Spelt Quinoa,

Last week Alex picked up 1 kg of black beans, 1 kg of chickpeas, and 1 kg of red quinoa for only $9.

I really like how Spelt Quinoa states where each of their products are from. Due to Australia's strict importing regulations, most products are Australian; however, the goji berries were from China and the cranberries were from the USA.

These are so pretty!

From raw almonds to maca powder, it's a health addicts playground. 

I also noticed they carry chocolate Amazing Grass, which I haven't seen anywhere else in Melbourne, or the Sydney health food stores for that matter! I immediately placed an order for a tub! :)

If you love to bake, you'll go ga-ga over the flour selection. Spelt Quinoa carries coconut flour, chickpea flour, spelt, brown rice, and more!

Today I purchased the following:

• Raw walnuts (350g)
• Raw almonds (250g)
• Almond meal (350g)
• Pepitas (100g)
• Cranberries (100g)
• Chia seeds (200g)
• Goji berries (150g)

Grand total: $25.40 (with a pre-order of Amazing Grass on the way ;) Not bad for a new masters student in serious need of a budget. 

Local, sustainable, and friendly..you know I'll be back :)

Spelt Quinoa is located on 40 Johnston Street, Fitzroy.