Cauliflower Recipes
I don’t know about you, but I go through phases in the kitchen. Ingredients or recipes or specific foods that I’ll eat tons of until I’m sick of them. Right now that food is, you guessed it, cauliflower! I’ve tried everything from cauliflower mashed potatoes and cheese sauce to raw rice and salads.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust from Carrie On Vegan – One of my favorite comfort food recipes
- Cauliflower Risotto from Fork & Beans – Mine wasn’t pretty, but it was delicious!
- Creamy Mashed Cauliflower from Choosing Raw
- 5 Things To Do With Cauliflower from the Paleo Queen herself Holly Would If She Could
- Cheesy Cauliflower Popcorn from Balanced Platter {How cute is that blog name?}
- Roasted Buddha Bowl from Oh She Glows – Seriously obsessed!
- Cauliflower Couscous from A House In The Hills
I’ve tried all of these and have loved each and every one. I have a handful of other delicious looking cauliflower-based recipes printed out and waiting in my kitchen though so be sure to follow me on Instagram so you can see my cooking attempts! {moicontrelavie – no spaces}
What’s your favorite food right now?
MCLV Mange: Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
As much as I love making cookies I have to confess that my favorite desserts to make, and eat, are always raw. The Wannabe Chef’s Raw Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Torte is hands down my favorite dessert. It’s also the most requested by my friends and family.
So when I saw Taste Space’s Better Than Nutella Cheesecake (Almost Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake) it seemed like fate. A few little changes in the recipe due to ingredient availability and I ended up with a delicious, chocolatey cheesecake that was a big hit.
Crust
- 1 Cup Almonds
- 1 Cup dates
- 1/4 Cup Raw Cacao
- Pinch salt
Filling
- 2 Cups Raw Cashews {Soaked & Rinsed}
- 5 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Cup Powdered Peanut Butter
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
- 1/4 Cup Raw Cacao
It was really rich and creamy, and tasted great cold straight from the freezer. It also wasn’t too sweet which I really liked – Sometimes too sweet on top of really rich can make a dessert a little over the top, but this was perfect!
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
Links You’ll Love
Do you let a bad mood ruin your day? It happens to us all and the consequences can be rough. Here are some GREAT tips on how to keep that from happening – 5 Ways to Flip your Bad Mood from Organized Clutter.
Health & Fitness:
Sometimes you just can’t fight your sweet tooth. It happens to the best of us. Eating a healthy diet is about not going to extremes – So try a healthier treat to keep yourself on track rather than succumbing to junk food cravings – Frozen Coconut Macademia Bars.
Gut bacteria and its role in a health and weight loss has been a frequent topic of discussion in the media in recent months. If you haven’t read up on this topic this piece should be of interest to you – Bacteria in the Intestines May Help Tip the Bathroom Scale.
As bathing suit season is upon us keeping your abs in shape becomes more and more important, check out these great Pilates moves from Women’s Health – 8 Pilates Ab Exercises.
In the last Links You’ll Love post I included an article on all the reasons to try wheatgrass so this week I wanted to share some great reasons to add Chlorophyll to your healthy diet – Why You Should Love Chlorophyll.
Are you a fan of snacking like I am? Finding new snacks to try to ways to make healthy choices can be a challenge – So why not take some advice from an expert. FAQ With a Vegan Chef: What kind of snacks do you eat?
Fashion & Beauty:
Stripes are a must for Spring year-after-year, the key is to put a modern twist on them and find interesting ways to pair them and create new looks. Nicole Warne – aka Gary Pepper Girl – is here to teach us just how to do that – How To Wear: Breton Stripes.
Each season there are a handful of great pieces that you can find that will instantly revive and modernize your wardrobe – Pieces that are versatile and can help you put together look after look. The same goes for men and women, so check out what Stylist Brad Goreski suggests for you gentlemen this season – Brad Goreski on Men’s Fashion: Stylist Shares His 6 Must-Have Pieces for Summer.
During Spring Cleaning each year I store my Fall & Winter wardrobe and rearrange the pieces in my closet to make dressing easier for that season. Here are some great tips for reorganizing this year – Accessories: Moving from Winter to Summer Shoes…
A neutral bag is a must every season – A handbag that goes with everything and can seamlessly translate from day-to-night. And this fun DIY project is just the way to make the perfect bag for yourself this year – DIY Celine Structured Clutch.
Ombre is everywhere this year – From hair color to maxi dresses to accessories – Trends We Love: Ombre Obsession.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion & Beauty:
Are you a fan of topping your looks with a chic little blazer? Check out Refiner’s 29’s Challenge Accepted! Watch How Our Editor Styles 1 Blazer 5 Ways for some creative new ideas!
I don’t know about you, but I love a quick & easy up-do during the Summer, it’s the perfect way to get your hair out of your face. For Sure J’Adore clearly agrees – Easy Summer Hair: Braids.
This season is all about sunglasses – Bold colors, fun embellishments – There are some great pairs out there. In the mood to get creative? Try The StyleList’s DIY: Two-Tone Sunglasses.
Still in the market for the perfect Father’s Day Gift? Apartment 34 to the rescue – Fab Father’s Day Gifts You Can Still Get!
This Summer’s new trend in carry-alls is a bit of a throwback. Backpacks are back! Don’t believe me? Check out Into The Gloss’s Knapsack Nation for some of the options out there.
Health & Fitness:
Whether you love to bake or are a fan of adding something sweet to your morning coffee, this is an article you should read – The 5 Best Natural Substitutes For Sugar.
Now’s the time that the Farmers Markets and grocery stores are flooded with tons of colorful, fresh produce so it’s the perfect time to whip up some delicious vegetable filled dishes:
One of the biggest health risks in our modern society is stress. Not only can it play a role in ailments like heart disease, it can also lead to weight gain, interfere with sleep, and cause depression & anxiety. Read this now – Why Stress Can Kill You: A Cardiologist Explains!
There are a lot of supplements & superfoods & healthy foods touted as “miracle cures” today and it can be hard to figure out which you should try and why they may help. Here are some interesting facts about Wheatgrass to help educate you – 50 Reasons To Drink Wheatgrass Everyday.
Swimsuit Season: How To Get Bikini Ready
Step one in the race for the beach is getting yourself healthy & in shape. And, of course, mentally preparing yourself… 🙂 So read on for what my Swimsuit Shape-Up plan is and some great tips & suggestions for getting yourself ready for your first beach, river, pool trip of the season!
Swimsuit Shape-Up:
My four-week plan to get bikini ready hinges on three important factors: (1) Spending some quality time at the gym, (2) Making healthy food choices, and (3) Staying motivated. For me the third is almost as important as the first two in terms of reaching my goals. We’ve all gone on a super healthy kick only to burn out a few days later and fall off the wagon!
Here’s my plan for the next four weeks:
- Eat Clean – No takeout, nothing processed, no packaged foods. Whole foods only. Smoothies, salads, stir fried or sautéed veggies & raw produce. Not sure what to snack on when you’re busy or traveling? Try baby carrots + hummus, Larabars, raw almonds, or a healthy sweet treat like mini gluten-free protein cakes or energy bites.
- 4-5 Weekly Workouts – Getting to the gym consistently is incredibly important so I’ll be aiming for 4-5 workouts a week including full-body circuits, core focused routines, and physical therapy. Plus daily walking.
Tips & Recommendations:
Sometimes, as hard as you work, the day you have to suit-up is thwarted by bloat or water weight. FitSugar is full of tips for getting back to your lean self – Flat Belly, Fast: 15 Ways to Debloat Today.
Your mentality when it comes to bikini time is important – Like with most of life’s obstacles, if you approach it with a negative mindset you won’t get the results you’re hoping for. Not sure how to improve your outlook? Read Garance Dore’s Don’t Freak Out.
Does the idea of adding weight training to your fitness routine intrigue you but you’re not sure what the first step should be or where to start? Check out Natalie Jill Fitness’s You HAVE to lift HEAVY if You Want to Lean Out and Change Your Body for some great insights!
Not sure what foods are best in the last few days before a trip? Try rehydrating and fiber-filled fruits and vegetables – MindBodyGreen has all the details in their 5 Best Foods For A Beach Body.
Something to keep in mind when you’re working hard to meet a fitness goal are the perils of over-training. If you don’t give yourself enough time for recovery and get enough sleep, you won’t see the results you’re hoping for. Check out this great piece on rolling our your muscles from Women’s Health – Soothe Muscle Soreness.
What are YOU doing to get yourself ready for swimsuit season?
MCLV Mange: Gluten-Free Protein Cake
After last week’s Coconut cookie cake I was in the mood to try my hand at a baking project that would be a little bit more on the healthy side. And thus, the mini Gluten-Free Protein Cake was born!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Almond Meal/Gluten-Free Flour
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
- 1 Tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Egg or Flax Egg
- 1/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree or Applesauce
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
- 1/4 Cup Sweetener of Choice – I went w/ Maple Syrup
- 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder {I love Sun Warrior}
- 2 Tbsp Powdered Peanut Butter
Directions:
- Pre-Heat oven to 350
- Mix dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients one-by-one
- Transfer dough into two medium-sized ramekins
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until cooked through – Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes prior to consumption
In addition to being a tasty little treat this recipe also packs 20+ grams of protein, depending on what type of protein powder you’re using, which makes it a much better choice than reaching for a cookie or some ice cream when your sweet tooth hits after dinner. Bonus? The single servings are a great thing for those of us who aren’t terribly good at the whole “portion control” thing. 🙂
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
MCLV Mange: Coconut Cookie Cake
I made a new dessert this past Saturday and after putting up a picture on Instagram {you can follow me @moicontrelavie} it was clear that this recipe was going to need its own blog post. I based this on Purely Twins’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, but as I didn’t have chocolate chips or cacao nibs so I decided to make it a coconut cookie cake instead.
{This version was made with applesauce & served with peanut butter soft serve}
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Flour {I mixed 1 cup of almond meal with 1/2 cup coconut flour & 1/2 cup flax-seed meal}
- 1.5 Tbsp Baking Soda
- 2 Flax Eggs {See the description here}
- 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
- 1/2 Cup Applesauce or Pumpkin Puree
- 1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut
{This version was made with pumpkin puree & served with cherry soft serve}
The original recipe called for applesauce or pumpkin puree and I was curious what the difference would be so I tried both. The batter was a bit runnier with the applesauce but otherwise I barely detected a difference in the finished product.
What’s your favorite healthy oil or butter substitute in recipes?
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If you’re following me on Instagram {@Moicontrelavie} you’ve likely witnessed my love of green smoothies – They’re my usual breakfast/post workout recovery meal Mondays through Friday when I’m at the office.
I get lots of questions about my go-to smoothie concoction, what protein powder I use, whether I believe in “superfood” ingredients etc. So I’ll start this post with my favorite morning smoothie and then share some great recipes that I’ve found lately.
- Apple
- 1/2 – 1/4 Roasted Sweet Potato
- Couple Handfuls of Spinach or Kale
- Lemon juice or water
- Sun Warrior Protein Powder {Vanilla – Raw, Vegan & Gluten-Free}
- Navitas Naturals’ Wheatgrass
- Cinnamon
While I LOVE a sweet smoothie and virtually any variety with fresh or frozen berries in it, I really like the energy boost and filling nature of a smoothie filled with greens. Better than coffee! 🙂
One of the most important things about smoothies is finding the right protein powder for yourself – I’ve tried dozens and finally settled on Sun Warrior a few years ago. Depending on your needs, allergies, and preferences you could try whey, hemp, brown rice… Reading reviews can be extremely helpful in making your choice so check out Chef Amber Shea’s PlantFusion Cookies ‘n Cream Protein Powder.
If you want to learn more about green smoothies and all the healthy, creative varieties you can come up with than defer to an expert and read Green Thickie’s Turbo Nutrient Booster: Vegetable Smoothie Vitamin Powerhouse Recipe.
Easter Candy got you down? Why not try The Fitnessista’s Butterfinger Smoothie and get your delicious sweet fix without the calories and sugar crash that come from a candy binge.
Want to add some powerhouse ingredients to your morning routine? Mixing them into a smoothie is a great way to work them into your routine – My Superfood Smoothie Stash from Carrie On Vegan.
If you’ve read about chia seeds and want to give them a try but aren’t sure how best to add them try a smoothie! FitSugar’s Antioxidant Power: Chia Berry Smoothie is a great choice.
Green Monsters can be intimidating so if you’re interested but want to ease yourself into this healthier routine try a green juice to start – Detoxifying Green Lemonade from Hitha On The Go.
Have you tried smoothies as a way to pack fruits and/or veggies into your diet? What’s your favorite recipe?
MCLV Mange: Peanut Butter Cookies
Sweet treats and baking have become part of my routine in the last year – In fact, I actually I didn’t really start baking until after I transitioned to a gluten-free, vegan diet. However with all my traveling and my busy schedule I’ve essentially been out of the kitchen for the last two months. I was thrilled to have house guests this weekend and decided to break out one of my favorite recipes to welcome them to San Francisco.
These cookies are a variation of The Wannabe Chef’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and I’ve made dozens of versions of these since he published this recipe in October 2012. This most recent adaptation is delicious and peanut buttery, in addition to being vegan.
- 1 Cup Almond Meal
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Flour
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 1 Cup Applesauce
- 1 Flax Egg {Check out vegan baker extraordinaire OhSheGlows’s description here}
And since they’re done in 15 minutes and throwing them together takes 5 minutes, they’re the ideal cookie for a busy day. I’ve made them with pumpkin and added a kick with pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon & nutmeg, and I’ve made coconut chocolate chip versions with coconut extract, shredded raw coconut, and carob chips.
What’s your favorite kind of cookie?
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
MCLV Mange: Gluten-Free Vegan Pizza
No matter how healthy we are there will always be cravings. Yes, the hope is that our cravings will change for the better as our diets become cleaner, especially since you know just how badly indulging will make you feel. But comfort food? Comfort food cravings never go away in my experience. So what’s a girl to do when the craving for pizza strikes?
Make pizza obviously!
Socca pizza to be exact. What is socca? It’s flatbread made with garbanzo bean flour that’s vegan and gluten-free. You can adjust the recipe any way you’d like, add any ingredients that strike your fancy, and even cook it in various ways. My go-to recipe is:
- 1 Cup Garbanzo Bean Flour
- 1/2 Cup Flax Seed Meal
- 1/2 Cup Almond Meal
- 1 Cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- A sprinkle of salt, cumin & paprika
I’ve made socca pizzas that were traditional with tomato paste and cheese, I’ve made sweet versions with cinnamon and coconut, but my favorite is by far hummus and veggies. And luckily it couldn’t be easier to make.
Pour the “batter” into a non-stick pan coated w/ cooking spray or coconut oil, heat on low for 5-10 minutes, flip, and repeat until you get the “dough” to your desired consistency. You can make it thicker & doughier, or thinner and more like a crepe.
Then slather the socca with hummus or whatever sauce you’re craving and cover it in all your favorite toppings. From cheese & {faux} meats to sautéed veggies like I did – The world is your oyster! I mean pizza. 🙂
So tell me – What are your favorite pizza toppings?
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
The Whole 30: The End
This week I said adieu to The Whole 30 after four long weeks of clean, healthy eating. While I did a “lite” version of this paleo-inspired program which included some additional vegetables & beans since I was excluding meat, I feel as though I was still able to get a good feel for the program.
Pros:
As with my juice cleanse in 2012, I found that one of the major challenges for me at the beginning of The Whole 30 was to think before eating. That may sound like a simple task, but a lot of snacking & munching throughout the day is habit or boredom or automatic rather than actual hunger.
Since this program excludes certain things I was forced to think about what I put into my body more consciously than I do on a regular basis. And that can’t be anything but good! Really listening to my body and asking the right questions was key – Am I really hungry? What is my body asking for? – I was also forced to plan my meals in advance to ensure I was receiving the necessary nutrients.
{Vegan, gluten-free mac n’ cheese & sautéed garlic vegetables}
Cons:
While I did miss some things {namely sweetener in my morning tea & Diet Coke}, I knew I could survive without them for a month. The real con about this program is that it’s not sustainable. It’s a cleanse and intended to be followed only for a short period of time. Living without alllllll fruits, vegetables, gluten-free grains, beans, and nuts isn’t conceivable if I want to live a full & healthy life.
Physical Benefits:
I already follow a fairly healthy diet, I do most of my own cooking and stay away from synthetic & processed foods, but overall in January I felt even healthier than usual. I woke up easily & was filled with energy, my days were productive and by planning out healthy, protein-rich meals in advance I avoided blood sugar spikes over the course of the day, and – best of all – I slept exceptionally well most nights.
Biggest Benefit:
I spent a great deal of 2012 in the kitchen but I have to admit that I was mostly baking. This month I tried more new recipes than I can remember trying all of last year! I made stew, paella, sautées, stir frys, mac n’ cheese, BBQ Baked Beans, and a couple other tasty new dishes. It was fun to put some real effort into being creative in the kitchen and I really hope to continue with that now that the challenge is over.
Have you ever tried a clean eating program like The Whole 30? What were the worst & best parts?
If you’d like to read about my entire experience with The Whole 30 you can catch up at the following links: The Whole 30: Preparing + Week One, The Whole 30: Week Two, The Whole 30: Week Three & The Whole 30: Week Four.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
My Spring cleaning urges are clearly starting to kick in early this year – Check out Gala Darling’s Blog On, Babe: Get Organized! for some great ideas for organizing your work – Whether you’re a blogger, a writer, or any other creative type.
Did you enjoy my recent organizational tips & recommendations for closet cleaning {Closet Organization}? If so you’ll love these suggestions from Apartment Therapy – Get Sorted: 5 Functional Shoe Organizers.
I’m in an outerwear state of mind these days – Between San Francisco being colder than I can ever remember and a trip to New York City scheduled for two weeks – I’m determined to find the perfect coat. Stylish but warm. Leave it to Olivia Palermo to have all the answers to our statement coat questions – How To Rock: The Coat.
It’s just about time to start daydreaming thinking about planning your Spring vacation. So why not take some advice from stylist-to-the-stars Brad Goreski – How To Travel In Style.
In the market for a new lipstick? Get the right one with Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Lipstick Guide to help you through the process!
Health & Fitness:
You know that coconut oil is good for you and I’ve shared some tasty ways to get coconut into your diet, but have you tried using it in your beauty routine? Glitter Guide has the scoop in their piece 10 Ways To Add Coconut Oil To Your Beauty. Routine
Whether you’re gluten-intolerant, following a paleo/primal diet, or just interested in eating a healthier diet kelp noodles are a great new food to try out, you should read Choosing Raw’s Kelp Noodle 101: How to Prepare and Serve Kelp Noodles.
I’m always interested in learning how my nutrition affects my health & how my body feels, and clearly I’m not the only one. Check out Purely Twins’s – Day 18 interesting reads about fructose malabsorption & hormonal acne.
As we grow up we need to pay attention not only to our overall health, but to our bone health at all. You may think that eating a calcium rich diet or taking supplements is all you need to do, but staying educated and aware is what you really need – Best Foods For Your Bones.
If you’re interested in strengthening your thighs than FitSugar has the answers in their Inner Thigh Exercises post – Work it!
The Whole 30: Week Four
In this, the fourth and final full week of The Whole 30 challenge, I started to realize just how great I’m feeling. While this clean eating plan isn’t terribly far off from my usual way of eating, it excludes the few synthetic, processed & sweet things that I usually consume. Mostly Diet Coke on weekends, Stevia in my morning green tea, the baked goods that I prepare a few times a month, and the red wine or whiskey I indulge in every once in a while.
And I’m not sure if it’s excluding these things that’s making me feel so much better or just the consistency of my diet lately, but I have been feeling great.
Snacks:
Same old, same old. Fresh veggies, smoothies, and sweet potatoes.
Part of the consistency that I mentioned above is a major reduction in my overall snacking – By consciously filling my meals with substantial amounts of fiber & protein I’m staying full and satiated for longer which means less snacking.
Meals:
My favorite new dish this week was one that I made for brunch last weekend – OhSheGlow’s Maple Baked Lentils w/ Sweet Potatoes. I made a few Whole 30-approved changed and the end result was absolutely delicious. Savory and filling with a hint of sweetness. I was thrilled that I’d made enough for brunch as well as a few mid-week meals for myself.
Thoughts So Far:
While many things about this way of eating seem like smart ideas that should be extended beyond the 30 days – Such as reduced consumption of alcohol, processed foods, synthetics ingredients – I don’t believe that this is a sustainable all-the-time diet. I’m hoping to continue on when it comes to certain aspects, but such an austere eating plan just plain isn’t fun when it comes to eating out or social events.
How I Feel:
As I said above this cleanse is having quite beneficial results for me. I’m sleeping really well, but more than that, I’m even – Emotionally and physically – Through out the day. Part of that is that I’m not going from starving to overly full because I’m planning my meals out in advance, and part of it is that my blood sugar is stable throughout the day so that there are no highs & lows.
Even = GOOD! 🙂
If you want to catch up on the previous installments of this series here they are: The Whole 30: Preparing + Week One, The Whole 30: Week Two & The Whole 30: Week Three.
Follow my daily struggles, thoughts, recipes I’m trying out & the fun I’m having with the Whole 30 on these platforms:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moicontrelavie
- Twitter: @moicontrelavie
- Instagram: @moicontrelavie
- Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mclv/
The Whole 30: Week Three
Here we are at Week Three of The Whole 30 Challenge, which could also be called “I can almost taste the coconut squares.” Yes, I’m already planning my first “non-Whole 30” treat. Judge away.
Snacks:
There was some serious sweet potato-age this week! I barely touched them the first two weeks but this week, in addition to craving them, I was also reading about the positive health benefits of potatoes in Kathleen DesMaisons’s Potatoes Not Prozac {book report to come!}. So this week I ended up eating baked potatoes as snacks and even adding chunks of them to my mornings smoothies.
Yum!
Meals:
A friend came over for dinner Tuesday and I was excited to finally try a recipe that I had printed out the week before – Carrie On Vegan’s BBQ Baked Beans. They turned out great as the entree for our little dinner party with sauteed green beans & asparagus and curried cauliflower on the side.
I’m loving cauliflower right now so if you’re like me and just can’t get enough you should check out Holly Would If She Could’s 5 Things To Do With: CAULIFLOWER and get some new inspiration!
Thoughts So Far:
I had the strangest cravings this week! If someone mentioned a food or if I read about a meal or saw food on TV it as immediately the only thing I could think about. Which is especially odd since I don’t even eat most of those things in the first place. My subconscious clearly just doesn’t like being told “no!”
How I Feel:
Fantastic! I’m sleeping really well, I’m waking up easily and without caffeine, I have energy and concentration throughout the day, and I feel really satiated after my meals. And that smugness Holly promised is really starting to kick in… 🙂
Follow my daily struggles, recipes I’m trying out & the fun I’m having with the Whole 30 on these platforms:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moicontrelavie
- Twitter: @moicontrelavie
- Instagram: @moicontrelavie
- Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mclv/
Restaurant Review – Greens
Greens Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant inside Fort Mason in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco – It has delicious, healthy food, a creative, seasonal menu, a fabulous view, great wine list, and they’re incredibly willing to adjust dishes and make substitutions. Which is one of my favorite things in a restaurant!
For my recent birthday my family was sweet enough to take me to Greens – even though I’m the only one who follows a plant-based diet – since it’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city (Millennium is another dream place to eat!)
{Yellow Finn Potato Griddle Cakes – Ohmylord these little “cakes” were amazing, the table shared an order and I could have easily eaten two orders myself!}
{Yellow Curry w/ Fall vegetables & coconut milk – My mom & I both ordered and LOVED this dish – Tasty & very filling}
{Angel Hair Pasta – This vegetarian version of a classic dish was well-loved by the table – Especially the corn!}
{Fire Roasted Poblano Chili – Sean is incredibly hard to feed at this type of restaurant and always manages to order the dish that everyone likes least. It’s like he does it on purpose… Anyway, this was interesting but a little bland.}
If you’re ever in the city and are in the mood for a great meal with a phenomenal view I highly recommend giving Greens Restaurant a try!
Check out some other restaurant reviews from great places in San Francisco & New York City below:
MCLV Mange: Healthy Treats
There’s nothing that I like better than finding an excuse to eat desserts first thing in the morning!
I prefer to take my calcium and supplements first thing in the morning but since they’re fat-soluable they should be consumed with something fat-heavy. In the past I’ve taken them with Energy Bites (aka Protein Balls) which are nut and date based, and rich sources of protein, sugar, and fat. These also serve the unique purpose of fueling my morning workouts since I eat them on my walk to the office.
But I decided to mix things up recently and using The Wannabe Chef’s Copycat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabars as a starting point I made peanut butter chocolate chip bites. I mixed dates, almonds, powdered peanut butter, salt, and raw cacoa nibs in the food processor, rolled up the sticky dough into little balls, and finally stuck them in the freezer to harden.
So. Good.
I kid you not, this is one of the best tasting treats I’ve ever made. Quick, simple, and so good that I accidentally ate 90% of them the day that I whipped them up. I will definitely be making these again in the very near future.
The second dessert recipe I want to share today is a tasty raw, vegan chocolate cake from the aptly named Yes, I Want Cake. Before this year I rarely ever baked and raw “baking” was completely foreign to me – Whereas these days I bake (or “bake”) at least once a week. Baking has become something of a stress-relivier for me – As far as I’m concerned cleaning, cooking & baking could replace prozac! 🙂
As a rule raw desserts are primarily composed of nuts and dates, and this time I swapped the walnuts in the original recipe for these on-hand almonds and halved the recipe since I just wanted a little treat for my cousin and I after a day of shopping.
This is my baby three-cup food processor which has since been replaced. I know you don’t think of Bloomingdale’s as a kitchen appliance store – at all – but they actually have great sales on home & kitchen goods and I picked up an 11-cup food processor for a steal a few months ago.
Isn’t it funny in this electronic day in age when I can’t live without my laptop or smart phone that I still prefer to have a paper recipe in front of me? If not just to spill on it and make notes in the margins…
Finally I sprinkled the dense little chocolate cake with shredded coconut.
Et voila!
I highly recommend both of these treats – The peanut butter chocolate chip bites are delicious and the perfect snack before or after a workout, and this little coconut chocolate cake is quick & and oh-so-tasty, perfect for an after dinner treat.
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
Sweet potatoes are a great addition to any healthy diet so you should definitely try out some of these nutritious recipes from Shape Magazine – 10 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes.
OhSheGlow’s Fall Detox Salad is a must try – Filled with Brussels Sprouts, carrots, apple, celery, sunflower seeds, and raisins, it’s as nutritious as it is delicious {also check out this salad as part of the Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up}.
Eating well and living a healthy life doesn’t have to mean giving up all sweets and desserts, you just need to make healthier, smarter choices when you want to indulge – Try FitFluential’s Five Healthier Desserts which include amazing choices like Raspberry Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Nut Butter Pretzels, Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits, Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes/Muffins, and Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries.
Do you want model-worthy skin? Refinery 29 has the goods – The Surprising Secret To Model-Worthy Skin.
Finding a great, healthy snack that you love and that’s easy to make is wonderful – One of my favorites recently is Choosing Raw’s Cinnamon Caramelized Cauliflower.
Fashion:
Interested in spicing up your daily makeup routine? It’s always fun to see what other beauty products are out there and the sort of routines that women go through on a daily basis, so let’s check out how blogger Trop Rouge has set up her makeup routine – Makeup Monday.
Top 9 at 9: A Model’s Must Haves with Lonneke Engel gives you all of model Lonneke Engel’s Fall 2012 picks – From workout gear to sweaters to what her favorite shoes are for Fall.
Ulyana Sergeenko’s dramatic, eye-catching clothes are the perfect pieces for this dreamy Moscow-based photo shoot in the most recent Carine Roitfeld Fashion Book issue – Moscow Walk.
Oxblood is everywhere for Fall 2012 and if you’re not sure whether it’s the trend for you, trying beauty products and nail polish are great choices – 3 Chic Ways To Do Burgundy Beauty.
The Fall 2012 Collection for J.Crew is pretty phenomenal – It’s filled with great outerwear, fun, printed pants, and killer accessories. And none of those accessories are better than the Lulu Frost’s Capsule Collection – Shop It Now: Lulu Frost For J.Crew Holiday.
MCLV Mange: Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up
When I think about Thanksgiving I picture beautiful Autumn scenery, family time, and lots, and lots, and lots of food. Preparing and eating meals as a family is such an ingrained part of our country’s Thanksgiving ritual – Whether it’s your parents and sibling, your roommates, or the family you’ve created for yourself as an adult in a new city.
Whether you’re cooking the whole meal from scratch or bringing a dish or two for your host or hostess, here are some delicious, healthy recipes that you can try out – From savory entrees to mouth-watering desserts to fun twists on classic sides, there’s something for everyone to get excited about here.
Entrees:
- No-fu Love Loaf from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan
- Tofu Loaf from Vegan Mother Hubbard
- Stuffed Bell Peppers from Vegan Mother Hubbard
- Chickpea Tart from Dreena Burton’s Plant-Powered Kitchen
- Creamy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole from Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen
- Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf from OhSheGlows
Sides:
- Bourbon Vanilla Cranberry Sauce from Eat, Live, Run
- Green Bean Casserole from Peas And Thank You
- Sweet Potatoes with Candied Pecans Recipe from Fork & Beans
- Crowd Pleasing Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing from Choosing Raw
- Herb & Cheese Drop Biscuits from OhSheGlows
- Gluten-Free Thanksgiving: Southern-Style Cornbread Stuffing from FitSugar
- Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes from Peas And Thank You
- Super-Awesome Brussels Sprouts and Mushrooms from Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen
- Cranberry Raspberry Relish from Forks & Beans
Salads:
- Fall Detox Salad at OhSheGlows
- Strawberry Roasted Chickpea Salad with Cinnamon Dijon Vinaigrette from Peas And Thank You
- Avocado Sweet Potato Salad from Vegan Mother Hubbard
- Salad-Free Ways To Eat More Leafy Greens from Chef Amber Shea
- Mixed Green Salad from Dreena Burton’s Plant-Powered Kitchen
Desserts:
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie Alternatives For Thanksgiving from FitSugar that include Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes, Pumpkin Custard, Pumpkin Loaf Bread, Skinny Pumpkin-Banana Bars, Pumpkin Bread Pudding, and Pumpkin Pancakes
- Perfect Vegan Pumpkin Pie from Choosing Raw
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls from Eat, Live, Run
- Baked Apples Stuffed with Cinnamon Date Pecan Oatmeal from OhSheGlows
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondies from Purely Twins
- Snickerdoodle Blondies from Peas And Thank You
Still in the mood for more recipes? Check out these other sites for more delicious ideas: Gourmet chef Eat, Live, Run’s Thanksgiving Recipe Madness, The Huffington Post’s Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes, Purely Twins’s Starters – Sides – Sweets Holiday Ideas for a gluten-free Thanksgiving, Gluten-Free Holiday Baking, Modelinia’s Model Meal: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Meal, or if you have fussy children check out Fork & Bean’s 10 Kid (and Allergy Friendly) Thanksgiving Ideas.
What’s your favorite part about the Thanksgiving holiday? Do you have a specific Thanksgiving dish that you look forward to year after year?
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
If you adored the leather-sleeved trench coat that Saucy Glossie sported in New York City last week {see Looks of the Week} than I have juuust the article for you – Shop The Look: Trenches Flirting With Leather!
What’s better way to enjoy your Fall clothes & accessories than with clean, well-organized, swoon-worthy closets? Seasonal Shift: Inspiring & Attainable Organized Coat Closets
While the House of Valentino is known for their showstopping awards season gowns and lipstick red dresses, it’s also known for sending sweet, girly frocks down the runway that leave many a girl sighing with desire – Fairy Tales & Fantasies.
Checking out pictures of street style and every day fashion from a city is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local styles as well as decide what you’re interested in adding to your closet for the upcoming season. Check out the latest installment of 4 Cities, 4 Looks, 4 Climates: Fall Edition from StyleList and learn everything you need to know about New York City fashion.
No matter what kind of shoes you’re in the market for this Fall there are some fun, flashy choices out there, so why not give metal toe caps a chance? Onto My Wardrobe’s Metal Cap Toe.
Health & Fitness:
One of the great things about Fall is that the stores fill up with delicious new produce, but don’t be intimidated by trying to cook something new, there are ways to learn! If you want to tackle a new type of squash check out Eat, Live, Run’s Perfect Roasted Acorn Squash.
Another amazing squash that you should get your hands on this Fall is the spaghetti squash. Now sure where to start? Peas And Thank You has the answer with her Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai!
Sometimes what you NEED is comfort food. And nothing else will do. So why not try a healthier version of your favorite calorie-laden dish and see that you can satisfy those needs with something a little more nutrition? 5 Comfort Food Makeovers from Ellie Krieger
Did Friday’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show post get you in the mood to sweat it out at the gym? Me too. So why not take some training advice from one of the gentlemen who helps the stunning Alessandra Ambrosio prepare for this fabulous runway show each year? Victoria’s Secret Workout: Runway Legs With Trainer Justin Gelband
Getting enough and the right kind of energy is important to fuel a great workout. Not only what you eat, but when you eat it are things to consider in advance – How to fuel for your workout properly and pre-workout superfood energy bites!
MCLV Mange: October Smoothie Challenge
As I mentioned in my September & October Round-Up posts, I participated in a modified version of the Green Thickies October Smoothie Challenge. I decided on a week-long cleanse consisting of a smoothie for breakfast, a smoothie for lunch, raw snacks when needed, and a healthy, nutritious dinner.
I tend to favor green smoothies first thing in the morning – I get up early and the blended spinach, ginger, lemon, and apple is practically a shot of espresso in the energy department. Here are my two basic recipes for my smoothies, though it’s easy to mix up the fruits and veggies based on what you have fresh on hand or in the freezer.
Green Smoothie:
- Spinach or kale
- Apple
- Fresh ginger
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon
- Wheat grass powder
- Sun Warrior protein powder {raw, vegan, gluten-free}
Fruit Smoothie:
- Spinach or kale
- Frozen or fresh berries {strawberries or blueberries primarily}
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon
- Wheat grass powder
- Sun Warrior protein powder {raw, vegan, gluten-free}
I’m an avid snacker, sometimes work is too hectic to sit down for a full meal so I frequently count on snacks to keep my energy and blood sugar at optimal levels. Crudite and hummus is nearly a daily occurence in my office and/or house – carrots, cabbage, sugar snap peas, celery, radishes, they all go perfectly with whatever my hummus-of-the-moment is. Fresh fruit is another good choice at the office, I will eat virtually anything other than mango. Weird, I know.
{Sautéed kale, zucchini & kale with quinoa, sweet potato with protein hummus, and Tuscan Baked Zucchini}
I’ve found that if I eat large, carbohydrate heavy meals close to bedtime, I wake up starving, so I try to keep my dinners on the light side. Sweet potatoes, squash, and zucchini are always in my fridge or freezer and I like to include them when I can. I usually chop veggies & make a big batch of quinoa or lentils on Sundays {for details see Sunday Prep} and I use those in my meals throughout the week.
Early in 2012 I did a juice cleanse {The Juice Cleanse} and while I’m not a huge proponent of fasting, cleanses, or detoxes in general, I have to admit that I enjoyed positive results from both the juice cleanse and my recent smoothie challenge. We put a lot of stress on our systems not only with unhealthy diets, but with stationery lives and not enough, or the right kind of exercise. By blending fruits & vegetables you’re breaking down the thick cell wall and making the nutrients more readily available thereby saving your body the trouble – i.e. energy that it takes – to break down the foods once you consume them. By reducing the stress on your system you’re able to use more of the energy from the foods that you eat and give your digestive system and internal organs a much-needed break.
If you’re interested in learning more about smoothies or other meal replacement options like soups, blended salads, or green juice, check out some of these articles:
- Raw Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup with spinach (Meal Replacement) from Green Thickies
- 5 Easy Ways to Get Even More from Your Smoothie from The No Meat Athlete
- Smoothie Making For Dummies from Organice Your Life
Have you ever tried a cleanse or detox program before? What sort of goals did you have going in and what results did you see?
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist. I recommend speaking with a professional prior to making any dramatic changes to your lifestyle, diet, or exercise regime to ensure that any changes you make are done safely.
Birthday Bonanza
This past week I celebrated my thirtieth birthday and it was a pretty spectacular experience that included a family dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco (restaurant review upcoming), a trip to Sonoma, wine tastings, and a weekend in Glen Ellen with my family & friends.
Here are some highlights from my birthday weekend!
{My colleagues are so amazing – I’m a lucky girl!}
{Wine tasting, delicious food, fabulous views – Living the DREAM}
{We’re a fashionable crowd}
{Speaking of lucky…}
Thank you to all of my friends & family who helped make my 30th birthday weekend so amazing & memorable – I appreciate it more than I can say!
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Jackets and blazers and coats – Oh My! Chic jackets, blazers, and coats in brilliant jewel tones, soft velvets & corduroy, fun patterns, formal tweeds & brocades, and freshly pressed trenches will all make appearances this Fall, so get a head start with WhoWhatWear’s Street Style with Adam Katz Sinding: Chic Outerwear.
Sweatshirts don’t have to be boring or gym-worthy, this season you’ll want to find a sweatshirt with a cute patterned or retro design to pair with your separates. Bright colors, fun nostalgia-inducing graphics, even highschool letterman-style sweatshirts will be hitting the streets – Trend: Sweat Chic.
There’s nothing quite like seeing what one of your fashion idols has their closet to get you in the mood to revamp your own wardrobe! Luckily for us Harper’s Bazaar is taking you on a tour of DJ, model, and Chanel ambassador Leigh Lezark’s fashion collection – Closet of the Month: Leigh Lezark.
When you’re fashion-obsessed the passion for fashion doesn’t stop with clothing and accessories, it extends to ever facet of your life. Like Tom Ford said: “Fashion is everything. Art, music, furniture design, graphic design, hair, makeup, architecture, the way cars look – all those things go together to make a moment in time, and that’s what excites me.” So let’s enjoy this tour of a fabulous, fashionable, organized home – The Brunette’s My home, my essentials.
One of the reasons that I love doing Style File posts is that you get to recreate and put a fun, fresh spin on an outfit that someone you admire has worn. Whether it’s a celebrity, a model, a blogger, or a fashion editor, you’re taking the time to really look at their personal style and try to recreate a look that you love. Smile For Style agrees and has shared her picks for this killer look from Revenge start Ashley Madekwe – Get Her Look: Ashley Madekwe.
Health & Fitness:
I don’t know about you, but I like to hold onto Halloween for as long as possible, and that means making Halloween-style treats wellllll after the holiday itself passes – Sweet Vegan Treats For a Happy Halloween.
Taking some time for a calming yoga routine each day could not only help you cope with everyday stress, it could also give you a great energy boost – Yoga Moves for a Pick-Me-Up from Women’s Health.
The ladies over at Tone It Up! are known for their great outdoor & beach workouts that you can do with little to no equipment and their latest, Halloween inspired workout is another fab example filled with bridges, planks, and cardio – Your Tone It Up Tuesday SpOokTacULaR Workout!
Pizza is the ultimate comfort food but unfortunately it’s not usually on the approved foods list for the conscientious, healthy eater. But what if it could be? Check out these killer veggie-filled recipes and get cooking! Green Garden Pizza, Garlic Flatbread/Pizza Crust, Heirloom Tomato & Sweet Corn Pizza & Swiss Chard Pizza from Gluten Free, Soy Free Vegan.
MCLV Mange: Indian Feast
I’m a huge fan of Indian food – it’s my all time favorite takeout indulgence – so I was thrilled when I saw Vegan Sparkles’s Vegan MoFo Tandoori Cauliflower & Cucumber Raita Wraps.
I couldn’t wait to give this one a try!
I adore cauliflower so I was excited that it was the base of this recipe and quickly picked one up at the Farmers Market, but as far as the other ingredients I mostly just used what I had on hand.
Luckily for me there’s a fabulous vendor at the Ferry Building Farmers Market on Saturdays – They carry great spices, sauces, marinades, naan, curries, tapanades, and anything else you might need to put together your own Indian feast. I picked up some tandoori marinade and smothered the fresh, organic cauliflower head in the fragrant sauce.
After marinating it for an hour in the fridge I threw the cauliflower into the oven – It smelled AMAZING while it was baking. Side note: You end up COVERED in orange – red sauce!
I served the tandoori cauliflower with curried veggies – A frozen bag of eight vegetable blend from Trader Joe’s that was in the back of the freezer combined with fresh kale. It was a healthy, delicious, hearty meal that really filled me up.
Stay tuned for the next MCLV Mange installment and check out the previous posts from this series to see what you’ve missed so far:
Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
Packing lunch during the week is a great option to save money and make sure that you’re getting a healthy, nutritious meal mid-day to keep you going. I like to do some work in the kitchen during the weekends to prepare for the week {Sunday Prep}, you can also get some killer tips from Choosing Raw – Monday’s Lunchbox.
Thinking about jumping on the treadmill or elliptical for some cardio and neglecting the machines and weight racks are you gym? Think again! I’m a huge advocate of not only changing up your gym routine on a regular basis but of foregoing machine cardio for walking and weight training. If you don’t believe m just read this piece from Natalie Jill Fitness: Only WEIGHT and INTENSITY Will Change Your Body – You HAVE to lift HEAVY if You Want to Lean Out and Change Your Body!
Fitting in a workout is a MUST during the hectic holiday season – It reduces stress, gives you some much-needed alone time, produces endorphins, and keeps you healthy & fit so you can enjoy the holiday festivities with your friends and family. Regardless of whether you have an hour or 15 minutes available, or if you even have time to make it to the gym – Make time!
- HallowLEAN Hill Workout from The Fitnessista
- Total Body Tabata Home Workout from Blonde Ponytail
- Easy Interval Plank Workout from Purely Twins
Fashion:
I love the old Hollywood, film noir feel of killer black & white photographs. The subjects somehow always manage to appear chic and timeless, regardless of the year, the pose, the style of their clothes… I just can’t get enough and neither can A Fashion Friend – It’s Better In Black & White.
Have you ever been tempted to run off to Paris so that you can live a fashionable, glamorous life? If the answer is yes, you probably shouldn’t click on these links because you will most likely run off to Paris to live a fashionable, glamorous life.
As you may know – I adore stripes – Whether they’re the traditional nautical variety for Spring or demure pinstripes for the office. So why not take this fabulous print into the Fall season as well? Harper’s Bazaar definitely agrees – Shop the Street Style Look: Summer’s Stripes for Fall.
Are you a jeans girl? There are so many varieties this day in age there are almost endless choices when you head into a store and start to peruse their denim department. 70’s flare, wide-leg, cropped, skinny, cut-off, distressed, boyfriend, boot cut… Check out Love Me Jeans for some serious denim inspiration and worship – What’s your favorite pair?
We’ve all had the rule “No White After Labor Day” repeated ad nauseam over the years, but is this a rule for our grandmothers and not for our generation? Well The Man Repeller is making quite the argument against this rule with her fabulous photographs from Nolita – Accent In White.
Moi Contre La Vie 