I love a good breakfast, eaten in peace on my couch while Paris slowly wakes up. Here is what I ate last weekend…
Yogi tea green tea. Their words of wisdom always put me back on track for the day.
Fresh figs, banana, chia seeds, yoghurt and agave syrup.
fresh blueberries, raspberries, organic muesli, almond meal, chia seeds, yoghurt and fresh grated ginger.
Lola Berry is my new friend and I am so glad that our paths crossed. She is a leading Australian nutritionist. Lola Berry and I made contact thanks to my online boutique Cleopatra’s Bling. I am proud to say she is now sporting her own cluster ring! To put the cherry on the cake, she sent me this absolutely lovely gift which left me grinning from ear to ear, not to mention munching on all the delicious raw chocolate! Her book is really informative and I’ve been reading a lot about certain nutrition facts that I had no idea about. Of course I am not trying to lose 20kgs, but for those who want to lose weight without going on extreme diets that restrict lots of enjoyable foods, this book is great as Lola has written recipes that are still satisfying while being healthy. I really suggest this book to anybody who is wanting a healthy start. Lola doesn’t only address food, but sleep and yoga also, making it a book for life really!
She was kind enough to send me beautiful chocolates from Loving Earth and Pana Chocolate. I am craving more! I’ll have to restock when I am back in Australia, being Australian products that I can’t get here in France!
Raw chocolate is not at all the same as chocolate you can buy in the supermarket. Cacao (ka·cow) is the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate.2 These untreated seeds referred to as cacao beans can be considered a superfood offering a wealth of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. Raw chocolate contains many important vitamins and minerals including: Magnesium, and other essential minerals including calcium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, and manganese. Raw chocolate contains polyphenols called flavonoids, with antioxidant properties. Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E, essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat, protein and fiber. It can reduce high blood pressure, improve blood circulation, promote cardiovascular function & health, neutralize free radicals and improve digestion.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted an In My Basket! I love doing these because I think most humans are interested in other people’s fridges…. or am I alone on that one? 🙂
Last Saturday I went crazy in the fruit and veg department, getting excited for some warmer weather. Coriander, avocados, water cress, zucchini, lemons for warm water and lemon as my morning detox, blueberries, some organic apples to make for stewed breakfasts (still need to help my body make the transition into Summer), and of course some delightful fresh figs. Don’t they look beautiful?
What fresh delights do you have in your kitchens this week?
In other news, are you ready for our new collection being released next week? Follow us here to see more!
Spices are a great way to perk up some of the more traditional desserts. This soothing creamy rice pudding is made extra special with the simple addition of ginger. Being mostly vata, I need a soft and easy to digest breakfast because if I go without breakfast I get hangry (hungry + angry = hangry) which is typically vata! Plus it keeps me going until lunch. I served this with a few fresh blueberries for added vitamins and sweetness and chia seeds because I love them!
Ingredients
150g/7oz rice (I used half basmati rice and half pudding rice)
500ml/17fl oz milk
500ml/17fl oz water
4 tbsp unrefined sugar, or jaggery
3 small lumps stem ginger
1 heaped tbsp lemon zest
5 pods of cardamom, powered cinnamon and whatever other spices take your fancy
Put the rice into a heavy-based saucepan, pour in the water and milk and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down so that the rice simmers gently and leave for 15 minutes, partially covered with a lid. Add the spices. When the 15 minutes have elapsed and the rice is soft and sticky, tip in the ginger and zest, along with the sugar. Turn off the heat and put the lid on allowing the spice to infuse gently for five minutes.
To find out what dosha you are you can take a free online quiz on the Dosha Guru.
In other news, I am doing a big sale on clothes I’ve never worn: here are the first items.
I always bring my lunch packed to work because I cannot stand take away unless it’s of great quality. I feel more balanced eating food by body knows (I know! I’m so sensitive!)
I wanted to talk to you about the importance of how you transport your food. Invest in a good glass lunchbox! Plastic is very dangerous as it’s full of chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA) (an endocrine disrupter that messes with the body’s natural hormone production and regulation) that have been very strongly linked to cancer as well. The more you use the same plastic container or bottle, the more it breaks down, and more and more bad chemicles are released.
Plus the remainder of the bottles either end up in landfill or in our oceans- hurting the fish and the dolphins, polluting our planet and killing our wildlife- Have you heard of the plasic continent? Look it up
I have glass lunchboxes that keep the flavour of the food fresher and don’t put my body in danger! Plus they are so much easier to clean and don’t stay greasy.
Today in my lunchbox I have quinoa with figs, fresh coriander (which gets rid of heavy metals in the system), water cress, Indian spices, and olive oil and a mixture of fruit with chia seeds to have with some organic Greek yoghurt. Yumm!
Despite being in Istanbul for the huge riots this weekend, I had a wonderful time. I was staying with my friend Emily who made me a welcome frozen cheesecake to welcome me. The weekend was filled with Turkish coffee, baklava, dürüm, sun and good company.
Home made Turkish breakfast
White blackberries (didn’t even know that it existed!)
Pomegranate juice stands- nothing better.
Just pure deliciousness.
Sparkling Istanbul.
The spice market.
Best view I’ve come across yet.
Turkish coffee.
Dinner date with Emily.
Dips and fish.
View from our favourite rooftop bar.
Turkish cheese, melon and white wine.
Playing in the rain.
Iced coffee in the sun.
Friends.
The Turkish love their cats. This cat is always at this café- I see him every time I go there.
Beautiful cherries.
Turkish breakfast at Mavra Galata.
Afghani silk decorations.
My dear friend and jeweller showed me this family photo of his. I love everything about it.
What I brought back with me on the plane (and am munching on now as I write this)
Will be back in Istanbul in 12 weeks and already cannot wait. I feel at home in Istanbul. What about Istanbul attracts you the most?
To see photos of my new collection click here.
ohlalalivia 