Grilled Salmon with Berry and Grape Salad inspired by the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

Hi my lovely readers, I just got back from a trip to L.A. and Las Vegas and found some really delicious foods and inspiration for healthy recipes! I ate out everyday and (most of the time) managed to find healthy options in keeping with my dietary rules. One lunch I particularly enjoyed was this gorgeous grilled salmon with a berry salad, arranged on a bed of mesculin lettuce and filled with blackberries, red grapes, pomegranate seeds, sliced strawberries, finely diced celery and shredded basil. (I didn't partake in the creamy balsamic dressing....)

Apart from all the fabulous shopping to do in both locations, I was determined to check out Whole Foods as I had a feeling I might fall in love; and I was right. Whole Foods is a health nut's heaven. Often frequented by celebrities, Whole Foods has a fantastic range of gluten-free and vegan goodies, with a much wider range of foods to choose from then I have available to me here in Australia. I sampled some delicious healthy treats like crunchy kale chips coated in crushed seeds, raw date and coconut energy bars, sesame tofu and chickpea kale salad, and chocolate almond milk smoothies. I will definitely have to recreate these dishes at home until my prayers are answered and Whole Foods comes to Aus! See a few of my purchases and other meal choices in my travel pics below.

Room Service at Beverly Hills; Egg white omelette with grilled vegetables, salsa and a side of fresh berries

Clean Eating mag, fruit and kale sale with chickpeas

Kale Kruch chips coated in crushed seeds

Breakfast at the Pool Lounge at the Peninsula, Beverly Hills

Golden Beet and Walnut Salad at Geoffrey's, Malibu Beach

Fruit Plate at the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas; Thailand fruits, berries, sliced melons and wheatgrass shot

Stunning Lobster Salad from the Venetian Restaurant 'AquaKnox'

Sweet Tofu Sundae

I love tofu; I could eat it every day and as a vegetarian, it is one of my staple foods. Lately, I have been running out of ideas for breakfast, especially if I want something sweet and I stumbled across this delicious recipe. This recipe is super quick and easy. Whip it up for breakfast or dessert.


Sweet Tofu Sundae

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of soft tofu
• 4 tablespoons of fresh orange juice
• 4 teaspoons of honey or 2 teaspoons of stevia sweetener
• 3 cups of fresh berries of your choice

Method:

1. Drain the tofu and let strain in a sieve for 30 minutes or soak out some water with paper towels.
2. Mix the tofu, orange juice, honey and 1 cup of berries in a blender.
3. Divide the remaining berries into four small bowls and top with the tofu mixture. 

134 calories per serve.

Coffee Vegan Balls

After making rum balls over Christmas time, I realized there was many possibilities to create vegan versions of the bite-sized treat. I found soy condensed milk at an online vegan grocery store and the recipe for my coffee vegan balls was born. I did stay within the rum ball tradition by adding some booze to the recipe, using my favorite liquor, Tia Maria. Adding a generous helping of desiccated coconut and some coffee soaked sultanas, these were a big hit with the whole family. To stay within my diet, I also used sugar-free vanilla gluten-free biscuits as the base of the recipe but you can use any plain vanilla biscuits you want.

Coffee Vegan Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 can of soy condensed milk
• 1 packet of plain vanilla biscuits
• 3 tablespoons of sugar-free chocolate coffee powder
• 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup of sultanas, soaked in a shot of espresso or a coffee tea bag
• 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut, plus 1/2 cup for rolling
• 2 tablespoons of Tia Maria

Method:

1. Process the biscuits until crushed.
2. Add the condensed milk, coffee powder, cocoa powder, tia maria and coconut, mix until combined. Add in the sultanas. If the mixture seems to wet, add more coconut until the right consistency is achieved.
3. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until cool enough to handle more easily.
4. Once cooled, use a tablespoon to spoon out the mixture and roll into balls. Coat the balls in coconut and place in a container to store. Either store in the freezer or fridge, depending how chilled you prefer them. Keep cool.

My Christmas Waldorf Salad

With a big jar of pecan nuts in my pantry in preparation for Christmas baking and left-over roast chicken sitting in the fridge, my mind started concocting an idea for a delicious salad. With some crisp celery and green grapes as possible accompaniments, I started to think of the classic Waldorf salad. The first Waldorf Salad was created in New York City in 1893, by Oscar Tschirky, the maître d’hôtel of the Waldorf Astoria. The original recipe consisted only of diced red-skinned apples, celery and mayonnaise; chopped walnuts were added later to create the classic salad dish.

My Waldorf salad has a Christmas touch, with chopped pecans, sliced grapes, shredded roast chicken and amazing vegan soy mayonnaise. It's the perfect lunch recipe to make for friends at this time of the year (or any for that fact!).

My Christmas Waldorf Salad

Ingredients:

• Shredded roast chicken, use as much as you have or like
• 4 sticks to celery, chopped into small pieces
• 8 green grapes, halved
• 1 handful of pecan nuts, roughly chopped
• 1/2 a baby cos lettuce, roughly chopped
• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 handful of mung beans
• 1 handful of snow pea sprouts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise

Method:

1. Get a big salad bowl and pop in all your salad ingredients, chicken, nuts and mayonnaise and mix together.
2. Enjoy!

Gluten-free Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

My favourite combination of salty and sweet, I was in desperate need of this chocolate fix this week. Quick and easy to make, these brownies are a hit. The dark chocolate drops create an intense richness to the cake and the peanut butter swirl topping is the perfect complement. I. LOVE. THESE! They also a fantastic individually wrapped up in the freezer for instant gratification whenever needed.

Gluten-free Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

• Bobs Red Mil Natural Food Brownie Mix
• 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 packet of dark chocolate buttons (whatever brand you prefer - or chop up some sugar-free dark chocolate)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of almond milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons of organic peanut butter, smooth
• 2 teaspoons of ground salt
• 1 disposable foil baking tin or brownie tin lined with baking paper

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and prepare your baking dish with baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, empty the brownie mix and add the oil, chocolate, egg, almond milk and vanilla extract. Mix together until combined.
3. Pour the mixture into your tin and flatten with a spoon.
4. Drizzle the peanut butter over the top and mix in softly with a spoon to create a swirl effect.
5. Top with the salt. 
6. Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes and take out to cool completely before slicing into squares.

Get skinny this weekend with inspiration from the Victoria's Secret girls

With the silly season in full force, many of us will be faced with the temptation of Christmas goodies, party drinks, late nights and skipping work outs. If you have indulged a little during the holidays, it helps to have a few detox days to regenerate your body and stay on top of your calorie intake.

The Victoria's Secret fashion parade has hit the blogosphere lately, particularly in regards to the models' diet and fitness routines. While they are admittedly taking things to an extreme level, taking a leaf from their model manual can help you stay on track during the festive time.

Read on for a few solid tips to take from the famous supermodels...


1. Drink 3 litres of water a day to cleanse your system, add some slices of lemon to boost detox effects.
2. Start the day with a fresh vegetable juice, especially if you have been drinking some alcohol during the week. Another good idea is to try a protein shake for breakfast, try Kora Organic's recipe.
3. Get plenty of rest and peaceful sleep, at least 8 hours.
4. Eat lots of vegetables and lean protein, and also try to source organic ingredients.
5. Dry body brush before your shower every day to boost circulation and eliminate cellulite.
6. Try to stick to the 80% healthy 20% indulgence rule. Make sure most of your meals consist of fruit    and vegetables with lean protein and allow yourself a treat once a day to keep you sane.
7. Drink plenty of green tea to boost your metabolism. Aim for 3-4 cups a day.
8. Take a probiotic to keep your digestion in check while indulging over the holidays.
9. Try to exercise for 60 minutes every day to compensate for extra calories with treats and alcohol. Try 35 minutes of the cross trainer and a 30 minute walk in the afternoon.
10. Try one day of detox by only having vegetable juices to cleanse your system.

The beautiful and organic product crusader Miranda Kerr was interviewed by Style.com on some of her favourite healthy foods.


What are some of your tips and tricks as far as staying healthy goes?

"Oh, we could talk about it for hours. But to sum it up, I know what works for me. I am very much into cold-pressed green juice. I also have a protein shake that I drink that is organic rice protein with goji berries … I love avocado. I love blueberries. I love eggs. I love grilled fish. I love spinach. I love garlic. I love organic, slow roast chicken. Coconut oil is great. Macadamia nut oil is great. Almonds are amazing. I mean, we could be here all day. I love food, but very healthy food."

What's your favorite meal?

"One of my favorite meals is a slow roast chicken. I roast the chicken with a whole bunch of garlic [and] at least two or three onions, chopped up. I put some turmeric in there and roast it for seven hours."

Sugar-free Gluten-free Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies are the perfect sweet treat this Christmas, especially if you want to stick to a sugar and gluten free diet over the holiday season. I made mine gingerbread men shaped and you can choose any cut-out you desire, or roll into balls to make traditional cookies. I also like to make these biscuits as a Christmas gift for friends and family; just secure in an airtight container and wrap with ribbon.

Sugar-free Gluten-free Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of almond meal
• 1 1/2 cups of gluten-free pastry mix (find this in your gluten-free baking section)
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 cup of stevia sweetener crystals
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of all spice
• 2 tablespoons of melted low-fat margarine
• 3 tablespoons of almond milk (you may need to add more if your mixture is too dry)

Method:

1. Sift the baking powder and pastry mix, then add in the almond meal, sweetener and spices.
2. Add the margarine and almond milk, and slowly mix together until the ingredients form a soft dough. 
3. Knead this mixture together to make a ball; if the mixture is not holding together add a small dash of almond milk until you get the desired results.
4. When you have kneaded the dough into a ball, place on a flat counter, covered in a sheet of baking paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into flat piece about 2 cm thick. You may need to sprinkle some almond meal on the dough before rolling if it seems a little sticky.
5. Cut out your desired shapes and place on a large baking tray, covered with baking paper.
6. Bake in a hot oven (200 degrees fan forced) for 15 minutes, or until golden.
7. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.