All Natural Homemade Household cleaner

So in my quest to consume less, I have been looking for recipes for home made products ranging from face masks to household cleaner.  In the process I have made great discoveries, and I am sharing one with you today.  It is an all-purpose cleaner that is super easy to make, but takes a bit of patience.

Ingredients:

A good quantity of citrus peels (this one is only oranges, but I have mixed lemon and 

oranges as well in the past)

Vinegar

Method:

Place peels in a large mason jar.

Pour vinegar on top (enough to cover peels) and close jar tightly

Let it sit on your countertop for 2 weeks.

Open lid and pour a small amount on your cleaning cloth.  I use it to clean my sinks, faucets, countertops (even quartz) in the same way I would use a multi-purpose cleaner.  It leaves every thing super shiny and doesn't leave a strong odour.

Thanks for reading,
Amelie
 

Coconut Stuffed Dates

We are back from California and I wish I could say that we are so refreshed and ready to tackle whatever life throws at us, but I can't, because the weather has simply made me wish I could just go back and stay there forever...Sadly, it's not the case.  So in the meantime, I am channelling it through my recipes.  I want colour, freshness and anything that reminds me of beaches and sunsets. 

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you are now aware that I rediscovered dates during my trip.  I have always loved dates, but I now realize I have never seriously tasted dates that were so moist and soft that way.  No offense to the companies who distribute their dates in the area, but these where on a whole other level.  That's what happens when you can eat local.  I often daydream what it would be like to live there and be able to make a trip to a local farmer's market a weekly occurrence throughout the year.  Never having to go through the cold and dullness that I find winter to be.  Okay, so enough about this, and on to what my daughter and I are obsessed with these days.  It is the simplest desert, as it requires no cooking or baking, and you need only 2 ingredients to enjoy this simple pleasure:  dates and coconuts. 

Dates are an excellent source of iron, copper, manganese and calcium.  They are also a good source of fibre.  As for coconut, although it used to be thought that it was bad for you (because of its saturated fats), studies are now showing that its medium chained-triglycerides (MTC) are absorbed directly by the liver and not stored in fat cells, producing energy faster and boosting your metabolism at the same time.  They are also a  good source of dietary fibre which has been shown to curb cholesterol!

Coconut Stuffed Dates

Ingredients :

Pure organic unsweetened coconut shreds

Medjool dates

Method

Pit dates and stuff with coconuts.

Serve and enjoy!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

Amelie

California bound...

Pismo Beach
image source: National Geographic 

Good Monday everyone.  I hope you all had a wonderful week-end.  This will be my last post for the next few weeks, as we are headed to California in a few days.  During the trip, I will be updating my Instagram and Facebook pages, so don't forget to follow along for a glimpse of how I survive eating a plant-based diet, while eating out...Good thing for me, I have already researched many vegetarian and vegan restaurants, so it will make things a little easier. 

During our trip, we will be visiting Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.  I am most excited about our drive to Big Sur, with an obligatory stop at Nepenthe, and going to as many farmer's markets as possible.  I am super thrilled because citrus and dates are in season.  We will also take a drive through Ojai's orange groves and make sure we roll down our windows and take-in as much of the delightful scents as possible.  

Santa Barbara
image source: Globe images.net

Los Angeles
image source: therichest.com

Have a wonderful few weeks and remember...

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Small things...

                            

Happy Valentine's day everyone.  Hope everyone on the east coast is safe and sound.  In our house, to brighten up the winter, we celebrate every holiday imaginable.  From Epiphany to Cinco de Mayo, covering everything in between.  We decorate the house and make a special dish related to the holiday.  But one of my favorite holidays to celebrate is Valentine's day.  It's a day to show your appreciation and love to the ones you love, including yourself.  For us, it has never been about over-the-top gifts or out-of-this-world dates.  It is about spending time together as a family. 

To make this day even more fun, I literally turn everything into hearts.  This simple brownie recipe is easily made more special by using heart-shaped cookie cutters and pie pans.

The kids lunches are overflowing with love and hearts.  Using the same pie pans, I made heart-shaped sandwiches.

 

We eat most meals at the kitchen island, because we feel closer together than at the dining table.  It also feels more casual and conducive to better conversation.  For Valentine's day, I usually give my husband and kids a small chocolate from our local chocolatier.   I make small place cards and give each of them a small love note.

Whether it be from you partner, your kids or even just treating yourself to your favourite treats, may your Valentine be filled with hearts and love!

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Cauliflower Mash

 

When I went plant-based a year ago, there are a lot of recipes that I left behind.  One example is mashed potatoes.  As yummy as they are, they are not a great side dish to many whole food meals, nor are they the most nutritious vegetables. You could have mashed sweet potatoes, which are awesome, but they are completely different in terms of taste!  So with all the recent rage about mashed cauliflower, I figured I would give them a try in the hopes that they would completely seduce me.  Well, I can say that I was floored.  It has the same texture, although a bit lighter, and the taste is quite similar.       

 

 

 

Cauliflower Mash

 

Ingredients:

 

1 head organic cauliflower

1 tsp. coconut oil

pink Himalayan salt

chives

oregano

garlic

 

Method:

 

Wash and cut cauliflower and place it in a steamer pot (here). 

Cook over high heat for approximately 10-15 minutes. 

Let cool for a few minutes and place in a food processor.

Add coconut and desired amount of spices.

Serve and enjoy!

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie 

 

 

 

 

Banana Pitaya Smoothie

 

Back in September I tried red pitayas for the first time.  I think it's one of the most gorgeous fruit and really wanted to  like them, but found they tasted very bland and had not bought them since.  But when I saw yellow pitayas at the grocery store last week and figured it was time to give these another try.  Well, I was pleasantly surprise.  Unlike the red ones, these were on the sweet side, almost like a kiwi.  I loved them pure, but was really in the mood for a smoothie, so I created this super Banana Pitaya Smoothie.  It has just a hint of sweetness that is perfect for any morning (I'm thinking it will also hit the spot when I'm craving something sweet after lunch!!!)   

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Pitaya Smoothie

 

Ingredients:

 

1 red pitaya (dragon fruit)

1 yellow pitaya (dragon fruit)

1 banana

1-2 cups almond milk (depending on how thick you like it)

1 tbsp. flaxseed

 

Method:

 

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until you get a smooth texture.

Serve and enjoy!

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

 

Raw Strawberry-Banana Cobbler

 

Some people crave sweets and others crave salty treats...I have cravings for both.  I have recently realized that adding a pinch of salt to salad dressings totally fills that salt craving (more on that later on in the week).  As for sweets, well I can say that this desserts takes care of that.  It is so super simple to make and is as perfect with a hot cup of tea as it would be on a hot summer day!  It was inspired by Fully Raw Kristina's peach cobbler's recipe.  I had been craving it ever since I saw on my instagram feed, but when I decided to make it, I didn't have pecans, peaches or nectarines, so I improvised with what was on hand.  Even my son thought it was delicious! 

 

Raw Strawberry-Banana Cobbler

 

Ingredients:

 

Crust:

2 pounds pitted dates (I used medjool)

2 cups almonds (walnuts would also work well)

 

Filling:

5 bananas (4 cut in 2 and 1 sliced)

2 cups sliced strawberries

 

Method:

 

1. Place dates and nuts in a food processor and blend until you get a somewhat crummy thick paste. 

2. Place half of the mixture in a 9 inch springform pan.  Using a spoon or your knuckles, even the paste out in a compact crust into the pan.

3. Place 4 bananas in your blender and mix until you get a thick smooth texture (will feel like pudding) and pour on top of crust.

4. Layer with strawberry slices.

5. Repeat step 2.

6. Layer with the rest of the strawberry and banana slices.

7. Place in refrigerator for an hour.

8. Serve and enjoy!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie

 

Pink Hummus or Spicing things up in the kitchen - Family style!

 

 

When my daughter mentioned to me a few weeks ago that she was tired of always eating the same thing, I really took it to heart.  But she was absolutely right, I have been stuck in a dinner rut since Christmas, and the same recipes have been on repeat week after week.  So I figured we needed to spice things up in the kitchen.  I started to make new recipes day after day.  I bought fruits and veggies that I don't normally buy and with the help of a few cookbooks gave new life to old recipes.  One of which was a staple in our household : hummus.  Because what is easier that chopping veggies and putting them on a plate with gluten-free crackers and hummus and calling it dinner.  But it does get old quite quickly, so I looked to my kid's favorite cookbook for inspiration (note that this cookbook isn't vegan nor is it vegetarian, but most recipes are or can be adapted to our lifestyle) and found this white bean and red beet hummus recipe.

 

 

 

 

It was so tasty, and what little girl (or even her mom) isn't going to love eating pink food.  And since I already had organic pre-cooked red beets in the refrigerator, it was super easy to make.  I even served it at a dinner party this week-end and it really got people talking! 

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Pushing your limits - Are you following through with your resolutions?

My son Mackenzie body surfing for the first time!

  

If you read this blog frequently, you have probably read all about my goals for the new year.  I have decided to try and change things up a bit in 2014.  Although, I like spontaneity, I am quite the creature of habits when it comes to making spur of the moment decisions. I can decide at the last minute to get away for the week-end, but it will surely be to a destination I am familiar with.  I am always pushing my kids to try new things - whether it be new food or new activities - but am not really pushing myself to do the same. 

 

So I have been forcing myself to be a bit more courageous and to push my limits a bit more this year.  Last week, my brother-in-law took us all to an indoor waterpark in Jay Peak, Vermont.  At first, I decided to only watch the kids since I usually get cold in the water and then, my back starts hurting.  I also assumed that the waterslides would make me dizzy (since I get dizzy even in small cars, waterslides were going to be no different).  But after walking around and seeing everyone having fun, I decided that I needed to push my physical limits a bit.  I have been on the sidelines for three years now was getting fed-up.  So I started with the lazy river, and it was actually pleasant.  Then, I took the plunge and went all out in the waterslides...Well, going all out for me means that I went down twice.  Did I get dizzy?  Yup!  Did it last forever?  Nope!  We sometimes get so comfortable in our roles, that we forget that we can gain something if we push ourselves to change it up a bit.  Whether it be ordering something you have never tried in your favorite restaurant, or taking a more nature-oriented vacation instead of a big-city one or even simply learning to cook with new ingredients...we would be surprised what we found out about ourselves if we agreed to change it up once in a while!

 

 

Have a great week-end and thanks for reading!

Amelie

 

 

 

Carrot Orange Ginger juice

 

 

Since I drink smoothies in the morning, I don't really get thirsty for orange juice anymore.  So when I started juicing a few weeks ago, I knew I had to make a juice with oranges.  This is yet another super simple recipe with 3 ingredients found in most kitchens - so there's no excuse not to make it!

 

 

  

Carrot Orange Ginger Juice

 

Ingredients

 

4 organic carrots

3 organic oranges

3/4 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled

2 1/2 cups filtered water

 

 Method

 

Wash all ingredients properly and peel orange and ginger. 

Place all ingredients in juicer or vitamix.  If using a blender, mix until you get a thick watery paste.  Place fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and empty juice over it.  It may take a few minutes in order to separate the juice from the fiber  (fiber may be kept and used in muffins).  Serve and enjoy!

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Ice Cream Party!

 

 

In our family we LOVE ice cream.  Mention ice cream and my kids will start making cartwheels and run around just imagining their impending sugar high...But let's be honest, you can't eat it everyday - or can you? With this very simple recipe, you can have it as many times a day as you wish.  That's right, you read correctly: AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WISH IN ONE DAY!!!!!  So what's the secret recipe you ask? Here it is:

 

 

Frozen Banana Ice Cream

(Yields 1 large serving)

 

 

Ingredients

 

2 frozen bananas

1/4 cup vanilla almond milk

 

Method

 

Place all ingredients in your blender and mix until you get a smooth texture.

Serve and enjoy!



 



 

This flavor is chocolate: I simply added 1 tbsp. raw cacao to the blender before mixing.

 



 

This one is maple syrup (also added in the blender before mixing), with a small drizzle on top 

 

 

 

These little gems are by far my kids' favorite candy.  They are called sun drops and are all-natural dye-free candies made with molasses and cacao on the inside.  The coating is made with vegetable icing and the color is mostly obtained with beets.  They are available at most health food stores.

 

 

Yup!  That's what you and your kids will be saying when you have your own ice cream party!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

Best way to freeze bananas or any type of food...

 

In our house, we buy a lot of bananas!  We usually go through about 11 pounds of bananas in one week.  From smoothies, to fruit platters, to muffins, we can't get enough of them.  But sometimes, life happens and we eat less than we thought we would and we are stuck with a bunch of very ripe bananas that we know we won't consume.  So instead of making a fourth batch of muffins or wasting them, we freeze them.  Before going plant-based it would have never occurred to me to freeze bananas, but it makes so much sense.  Frozen bananas are amazing in smoothies, they add a wonderful thickness and make it cold without having to add ice.  I also always have them on had for my banana ice cream cravings (recipe to come tomorrow).

 

So, what's the easiest way to freeze bananas you ask?  You simply peel them and cut them in half.  Then you place them on a cookie sheet lined with a parchment paper, and place them in the freezer for a few hours.  Finally, take them out and simply put them in a freezer bag.  I guarantee you they will not stick together and they will be easy to take out as needed.  This method applies to anything you would like to freeze.  

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie

   

Guilt-Free Hot Chocolate

 

 

 

One of the things I love the most about winter, is coming into a toasty warm home and indulging in hot chocolate.  This feeling brings me back to my childhood when my sister and  I played in the snow for hours and then go inside for a well deserved pause and a hot cocoa made with love by my mom. 

 

Now I do the same for my kids, and I usually make one for myself as well...winter just wouldn't be right without it!  But as much as I do adore the taste of my Ghirardelli mix, the list of ingredients leaves me feeling less than enamored.  So a few ago, when someone I follow on Instagram (@persionprincessjuicing) posted the recipe to this wonderful hot cocoa recipe.  I decided to try it and it was an instant hit with the whole family!

 

  

 

 

Guilt-Free Hot Chocolate

 

Ingredients

 

1 3/4 cups of hot filetered water*

1 1/2 tbsp. raw cacao

2 tsp. honey

A splash of almond milk

 

Method

 

Place cacao, honey and almond milk in a large mug and pour hot water on top.

Serve and enjoy

 

* I substitute almond milk for the water for both my son and husband who prefer a thicker and richer taste.

 

Thanks for reading,

Amelie



Raw zucchini pasta and rosee sauce

 

Eating a plant based diet is wonderful and it has served me well since I have started on this journey, but winter time is harder since our cold climate is making me crave lots of starch like sweet potatoes and grains a lot.  As much as these are more than fine to consume, they too often leave me feeling stuffed and less than energetic.  So I have been trying to include more raw food as much as possible in order to give my digestion a bit of a rest and in the process have more energy.  One thing to keep in mind when enjoying meals like this is that they are very low in calories so make sure you eat a decent side dish.  I ate a large side salad (6 cups mixed arugula and Swiss chard) with the extra sauce I had.  Although a salad is also low in calories, I usually have a nice smoothie as a dessert and fully satiated until my next meal.   And when you do consume more starchy foods, consume them at lunch so you have time to digest them before going to bed or make yourself a rainbow bowl with some raw veggies, a salad and a sweet potato or a grain so they are not the main star of your meal!

I used this sprializer to create my "spaghetti".  I purchased it on www.teambuy.ca for 10$.  (But you can also get a fancier one like these ones here and here)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw Zucchini Spaghetti and Rosée Sauce

 

Ingredients

 

For the "spaghetti"

 

3 zucchinis

 

For the sauce:

 

1 red bell pepper, chopped in medium sized pieces

1 cup frozen mango pieces

Juice of one lime

1 tbsp.. fresh cilantro

1 tbsp. fresh parsley

 

Method:

 

For the "spaghetti":

 

Spiralize your zucchinis and set aside. 

 

For the sauce:

 

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree.  Pour over zucchini and enjoy!

 

 

Thanks for reading and have a nice week-end!

Amelie

      

 

 

 

Fig and Pear Chia pudding

I usually have a green smoothie for breakfast, but once a week I eat a chia pudding.  It is one of my favorite breakfasts!  I usually make it sweet and love it's tapioca like texture, which is a nice break from the smoothie. 

 

This week I decided I would make it even more special and treat myself to some fresh figs (I usually have the dried ones which are so much cheaper (fresh figs are usually around 1.60$ each around these parts, so it gets expensive quickly!).  Fig are my favorite fruit to pair and they are  as delicious in a salad dressing as on a pizza with arugula and red onions. 

 

 

When paired with pears, the bitterness of the pear perfectly tames the sweetness of the fig.  I also added a banana for extra smoothness. 

 

Fig Pear Banana Chia Pudding

 

Ingredients

 

2 black figs

1 frozen pear (it doesn't matter which kind, but Bosc would be perfect)

1 Banana

1 cup milk

1/4 cup chia seeds

 

Method

 

Thaw pear for approximately 30 minutes.  (I freeze my pears "as is" and take them out as needed.  When I thaw them, I place them in a small bowl so that I can reuse the juice in my recipes.  Once thawed, simply pull apart and remove heart.)  Place pear and skin, figs and banana in blender and puree.

 

Place chia seeds in mason jar or air-tight container.  Add milk and fruit puree and mix.  Let sit for  15 minutes and stir again, making sure there are no lumps left.  Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 30 minutes.

 

Serve and enjoy!

 



 

I usually do this as I am doing dishes and preparing the kids school snacks after dinner, so it is easy to thaw pear and do all steps accordingly.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie

The Underdog Juice A.K.A Pure Clementine Juice

 

Winter is here, and that means colds, flus and all forms of unwelcomed symptoms are here as well.  When I started getting ill 3 years ago, it came with a slew of symptoms.  Among them was what I call the 6-month cold - a cold that lasts from October to the beginning of April.  I literally could not shake the constant coughing that comes with sinus infections.  It would last 2-3 weeks, then I would get a few days rest and then on again. 

 

This year is the first year that I have not had one bout of these symptoms.  I have maybe coughed a few times  here and there, but that is it.  I attribute this to my diet.  When you eat a plant-based diet, you eat fresh food that is loaded with nutrients and that boosts your immune system.     When your immune system is strong, infections have a tendency to stay away.  Now whether you eat a plant-based diet or not, make sure you get enough vitamin C in your diet.  Although our daily recommended intake lies between 75-90 mg, studies have shown that the benefits really start kicking in at around 500 mg daily (http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c).  Along with its immune functions that fight against bacteria, viruses, and infection, vitamin C also serves as an effective antihistamine that will lessen the unpleasant effects of the common cold, including inflammation, stuffy nose and aches.  So load up on your vitamin C, and don't just stick to oranges.  Make sure you vary your sources, this way you will also vary the nutrients you get - which is why I chose to share with you this Clementine Juice.  I also call it the Underdog Juice because oranges usually get the gold medal when it comes to Vitamin C that we tend to forget about other sources such as cantaloupe, red and green bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage- just to name a few.  If you are curious as to what nutrients and minerals you are eating each day, I highly recommend you download the CRON-O-Meter app on your smartphone, tablet or computer.  This is the way I make sure I am on track with my calorie intake (on a plant-based diet, you really need to eat a lot to make sure you meet your daily calorie intake, so it really helps me plan my meals accordingly). 

 

 

 

The Underdog Juice

 

Ingredients

 

10 clementines

1/2 cup filtered water

 

Method

 

Peel clementines and place whole in your blender,  Add water and blend until you get a smooth texture.  Serve and enjoy!

 



This recipe yields approximately 3 - 3 1/2 cups which is one serving.  It will give you 361.1 mg of vitamin C (481% of daily intake), 50% of your daily fiber, 6.3 g of protein and 347 calories! 

 

Thanks for reading and have a great day,

Amelie

 

PS This is not a sponsored post

 

 

How to prepare a pomegranate

 

I am addicted to pomegranates.  I love their crunchy refreshing taste and do not tire of it, but preparing them always felt like a drag until I learned the proper way to cut one.  So I figured I would share my knowledge with you so you don't have to deprive yourself either.

 

Here are the few steps required to prepare: (it is recommended to wear an apron for this in order to avoid staining your favorite pajama, as I did!!!)

 

1. Thinly slice both ends, as pictured below.

 

 

 

 

2. Cut the pomegranate in quarters.

 

 

 

3. Take each end of the quarter between your index fingers and thumbs and pull out.  Then slowly remove arils and drop into a bowl.  In a few minutes, you are ready to enjoy this wonderful fruit packed with antioxidants!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Amelie