Homemade Vegetarian Paleo Sushi

So I had a go at making homemade vegetarian paleo sushi- and boy was it good. Not only were they tasty and pretty to look at, they were also so easy to make. Here is how to do it. 

F o r   6   m i n i   r ol l s   Y o u   N e e d:

1 large carrot

1 generous handful of spinach

1/2 avocado

1 Nori paper

Garlic granuals

2 egg

Soya Sauce

A Chunk of Ginger

Knob of Coconut Oil

A Bowl of Clean Water

D o:

1) Prep you're veg- you need to 'julienne' (posh word for cutting into little strips) your peeled carrot, slice your avocado into long strips and wash your spinach. 

2) In a bowl, whisk your eggs, with a generous splash of soya sauce and a chunk of grated ginger.

3) Grease your frying pan with your nob of coconut oil, and fry your egg mix like a pancake (so cook, flip, cook).  Once cooked, place your egg pancake onto a plate to cool. 

4) On your Nori Paper, place your spinach, strips of avocado and carrot in a line, close to the edge of your nori paper. Next sprinkle on a generous amount of garlic granuals- I love garlic so there was copious amounts in my rolls.

5) Cut two long strips from the middle of your egg pancake and place on top of the veggies.

6) Roll!  The easiest way to do this is slowly and with a paper towel underneath to help shape and roll. I think practise helps here.  If you happen to have one of those wooden sushi roll mats (looks like a bunch of bbq sticks knitted together with string) then use that here. As you get towards the edge of the nori paper, dip your fingers in the bowl of water, and lightly wet the nori paper.  This will help the paper become flexible to roll around, but also the water acts as a sticking agent.  With the wet end, continue to roll until the end of the paper is stuck down. 

7) With a long stuffed nori roll, cut both ends off with a sharpe knife, and then cut into six small little rolls. 

8) Serve with wasabi and soy sauce, pickled ginger, or toasted crumbled peanuts (as seen in the picture below). 

Recipe: Broccoli Bean Mint Fritatta

So yesterday I had a late lunch, and when it got to the designated dinner time (7.30) I really wasn't that hungry.  Instead of having a jumbled inadequate meal of random yummies, I decided to make the light meal of a fritatta.  A fritatta is meant to be the healthy version of a quiche: pastry free egg concoction. A fritatta is also meant to have potato or some similar root vegetable in it. But as I follow a paleo diet and also the fact that those veggies generally take a while to cook without a microwave, I left them out.  So essentially, here you have a baked omelet.

This particular one is a roasted broccoli, green bean and mint one. 

NUTRITION: 

Broccoli is a nutrient- dense wonder vegetable.  It is high in Vitamin A and C: both vitamins do wonderful thing to your skin and also your immune system among other things. Broccoli is also high in folic acid, calcium and fiber.  

Green beans (or french beans), like brocoli is also high in vitamin A and C, fibre and calcium. Beans also have quite a high amont of protein in them for a vegetable.  So if you are a veggie, go wild on these little strips of green.

Not only does mint taste delicious and fresh, it is great for digestion. It is anti-inflammatory and settles the stomach.  That is why a fresh mint tea is fantastic to have after a big meal. Mint can also help with nausea, headaches and coughs.

Eggs are a wonderful food full of protein, healthy fats, all your amino acids, b vitamins, iron, you get the idea.- They are just fabulous for you.

So not only are you eating a yummy meal, you are making yourself more beautiful, healthier and intelligent.

Happy New Year... and Happy Hangover

Happy New Year!! For New Years I went to a beach town called Hermanus in South Africa. Last night confirmed that New Years is generally celebrated the same all over the world- getting horrifically lamposted. Although this is seriously fun on the night the notorious hangover is inevitable. After doing some research this morning I thought I would share some natural and healthy ways to curb the dreaded hangover. 

Coconut Water : its super hydrating, fat-free, cholesterol-free, nutrient-packed, potassium-stacked, mega-electrolyte full stuff. As the majority of a hangover is dehydration, this stuff works a treat. 

Tomato Juice: The stuff without added sugar and chemicals (look on the back)- full of nutrients, anti-oxidants that will fight that alcohol.

 

Eggs: The yolk of an egg has lots of protein and healthy fats in there, not to mention a whole lot of vitamins. This is what your body needs to restore itself.

Bovril/ Marmite: high in Vitamin B which will relieve your hangover and replace lost salts.

Almonds: Prevent a hangover by eating 6 to 12 almonds before drinking. The North American Natives claim this will protect the body against intoxication.

Water: Drinking water is the best cure for hangovers. As a matter of fact, alternating a glass of water with an alcoholic drink can prevent a hangover. Sparkling waters with a twist of lime or lemon make a respectable replacement for a cocktail, preventing fluid loss associated with drinking alcohol. Drink a glass or two of water before going to bed to prevent dehydration.

Bananas: Eating a banana will replenish lost potassium and other minerals after drinking too much alcohol. Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract for most people and provide something solid in the stomach.

Wasabi: Along with being a delectable culinary delight, the spicy green paste known as wasabi also makes an excellent cleanse to remove toxins from the body. Wasabi stimulates blood circulation and promotes oxygenation of the cells, which helps remove waste. Infuse 2 to 4 tbsp. in a hot bath to allow the body to shed toxins through the skin to ease a hangover.

Ginger: Ginger is the time-honored cure for nausea and stomach upset. The easiest way to consume ginger is by drinking ginger ale; however, it must contain real ginger and sugar, not artificial sweeteners. Sugar too helps settle the stomach, so this is a winning combination for hangovers. Alternatively, make ginger tea by cutting a dozen slices of fresh ginger root and boiling them in 4 cups of water for about ten minutes. Remove the ginger and add the juice of half a fresh lemon and honey to taste. Drink as much of the tea as needed.

Sleep: no brainer. 

The Kitchen and Andy

This is my boyfriend Andy.  We have been together for three and a half years. Ever since I started this blog, Andy has asked why he has not featured.- Although he says this is a jokey way, I know he secretly wants to be championed for his dress sense.  One of the things I love about Ands is how he looks after himself. He dresses well and he takes care of his body: this only results in a very polished good looking guy ... in my opinion anyway. 

So a few weeks ago Andy and I trotted along to my favourite eatery called The Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town. The Kitchen is a beautiful little cafe/ restaurant which prides itself in beautiful salad platters and 'the Love Sandwich'.  The cool and quirky people of Cape Town come here for a quick lunch time plate of different salads and meats, (take away optional) or a Love Sandwich. Just to explain quickly- the love sandwich was dubbed its name because it is made with love- they take some of the doughy bread filly out and replace it with their homemade red pestos marinated meats and fresh fresh greenery. As sarnies go they are cracking. 

Andy and I came for breakfast.  So whilst we sat there drinking our coffee from vintage mugs, I told Andy that today was his day: I was going to take a few photos to share on my blog. 

Andy in front of the Kitchen.  Andy wears: 

Top: Topman

Shorts: Country Road

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Watch: Hugo Boss

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Vintage ceramic flower ornament at The Kitchen

Shoes under the table: Andy's high top grey converse; my metallic and leather Kurt Geiger Lucca Plimsoles. 

The Kitchen Breakfast: Scrambeled egg with chives on top, sliced avocado, rye toast, bacon, and a mini salad with gherkins and homemade dressing. 

The Kitchen's menu board. 

If you are visiting Cape Town be sure to visit this little place.  It won't disappoint. The lovely thing about this cafe is the people who run it. It was created by a woman called Karen Dudley who is passionate about her food.  Every time I have been in the Kitchen, she personally greets you and even remembers your name. Her staff obvious love her and it has a real sense of family and friendship.  I had a lovely breakfast and a delicious coffee whilst sitting next to my stylish boyfriend.  A girl cant ask for much more in a morning can they?