Tex-Mex Stacks

This post is officially the most time consuming one I have ever posted. 

Not because the recipe was complicated or anything. But because our internet suddenly decided to go back in time to the 90's and act like dial up. 

I think the total time with page loading, image uploading and waiting for other various things to work properly, this will have taken me 6-7 hours to get up on here. If that doesn't display passion and perseverance, I don't know what does!

On the other hand, this may be curbing my social media obsession, Pinterest is impossible to load right now...

Back to the food! This little beauty came to life from various leftovers and odd and ends I had to use up. It comes together in a second if you have cooked rice and potatoes ready to go. The tex-Mex flavors are strong and delicious. You can also amp up the heat with a generous coating of hot sauce.

I was going through quite the roasting phase for awhile and I think the way the tomatoes came out on this was the reason for it. I've started making my own salsa and hot sauces as a result and I don;t think I'll ever go back to buying them pre-made.

You can easily make this recipe fat-free by omitting the guac and the coconut cream if you are monitoring those macros. Although the plantains dipped in guac are sooooo good!

Tex-Mex Stacks

Ingredients:

1.5 cups refried beans

4 tomatoes, sliced

4 cups rice, cooked

2 large potatoes, sliced

1 recipe guacamole
4 tbsp coconut cream (coconut meat and water blended)
Oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes, S/P

In a casserole dish layer the ingredients as follows: potato, refried beans, rice, potato, tomato. Sprinkle with the spices as desired.

Bake at 350F until heated through and the tomatoes are cooked.

Top with guacamole and coconut cream and serve with baked plantains. 

Enjoy!

Pineapple Sorbet

I like to keep it really simple most days, and Wednesday posts is where I really want to showcase how eating very simply can be amazingly delicious and satisfying.

I was looking through my list of recipes that we're already photographed and realized I didn't really have anything that would fit that mission. Until I dug through some realllllllyyy old pictures I had taken in Toronto when I had no idea what taking a good food pic meant!

It's great to really see the progress I've made over the last 9 months though.

This pineapple treat could not be easier to make. It requires a bit of pre-planning to cut and prep the pineapple for freezing (or you can just buy it frozen). But other than that, all you need is a good blender or food processor and you are set. 

Did you know that its takes about 2 years for a pineapple to grow to maturity?

This is the type of recipe that really got me into raw foods in the first place. The ease in which you can make a wide variety of frozen treats is astounding. The variety is limitless and you can have ice cream for breakfast. Score!!

Sorbet has always been one of my favorite frozen treats and while you can find plenty of vegan choices at the grocer store, many of them have dairy and/or gelatin of all things. Not to mention preservatives and all those nasties. So why not whip up a little pineapple goodness in the comfort of your own kitchen?

Pineapple Sorbet

- 1-2 large ripe pineapples, cut into chunks and frozen overnight

This is as simple and delicious as can be. Dump all your pineapple into your food processor with the S blade. Process until smooth.

Note: You may want to let the pineapple defrost a bit before processing, it’ll make it easier and faster.

Enjoy!

Top Ten Exotic Fruit of Costa Rica

Fruit is the best of foods.

Even better are fruits that are not typically found, or really found ripe or goof quality, in most of North America. I mean, don't get me wrong: apples and pears and grapes are great when they're in season but when you start on a healthy diet that include lots of fruit, variety makes it that much sweeter.

So, I dare you to expand your fruity horizons!

A few of these are not necessarily local and indigenous to Costa Rica, but they are amazing, delicious and grow very well in the climates available. Many are available in their imported forms and most definitely worth trying if you can get your hands on them. I suggest trying your local asian grocer or China Town to see what they offer.

1. Biriba

A sweet blissful fruit that tastes like lemon meringue pie. Best if picked ripe, and ready to eat. This is one that is worth the plane ticket since I've never seen them anywhere else.

2. Pineapple

I know, you can get pineapple pretty much anywhere. But nothing beats the taste of a truly ripe pineapple. If they're picked green and left to ripen, they lose most of their magic. Did you know it takes up to 2 years for one pineapple to grow?

3. Sour Sop (Guanabana)

was a massive outburst of information about the Sour Sop not too long ago, boasting about it's cancer fighting abilities. The taste of these is amazing, a sweet/soup juicy bite will lead you to devour the entire thing in one sitting!

4. Mangoes

Yes, again, mangos are available everywhere. Here, they are picked ripe and have a very large selection of varieties. The season starts soon and I expect to live off them for days!

5. Ice Cream Banana

An intriguing variety of banana, it is to be eaten when very soft, and massaged beforehand as well. It has a lemony creamy taste with an ice creamy texture.

6. Jackfruit

The source of the flavor they developed for juicy fruit gum! Jackfruit is a beast of a fruit, it can weigh up to 36 kg or 80 lbs. The insides are interesting and require some work to get out as the fruit has a natural latex that oozes out and gets on everything wh
en cut open. The trick is to oil up your hands a knife and dig in!

7. Granadilla

A large type of passion fruit that is sometimes sweet, with a tang. One of my most favorite fruits, it tastes even better when paired with mango.

8. Sapodilla

A feast that reminds one of brown sugar and cake. This little brown fruit is much more than it appears to be.

9. Maracuya

A super sour passion fruit that is often used here in drinks and juices. Many people like adding a little sweetness, but it reminds me of the sour candies I enjoyed as a kid.

10. Rambutan (Mamón Chino)

An alien looking fruit that tastes similar to the lychee, it is bursting with juicy flavor. Just peel away the colorful skin and pop the white fruit into your mouth, making sure not to chomp down on the pit!

 ALSO: as I have mentioned I have some plans to grow the blog. I would LOVE your input and have put together a short 2 minute survey. I would be eternally grateful if you could fill it out.

Here's the link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YJ6PH75

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Meatless Monday's: Lentil Sloppy Joe's

Lately I've been spending far too much time looking at party foods. Appetizers and mains of this kind were definitely my kryptonite, until I found sneaky ways to make them healthy. Not just kinda healthy, but follow all my guidelines healthy. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.

I mean, yeah, there is a place for a little indulgence of a different kind now and again, but if you can make it just as tasty (or better) without the oils, salt and questionable ingredients, then why not?

And thinking of all this awesome food without being able to make any of it really sucks.

We've been having issues with keeping food stocks up. The place we're renting at the moment is literally at the top of a mountain, and we use our bike to get around. Since the road up here is getting more and more dangerous, bringing up 30-50lbs of fruit and veggies for dinner is not exactly easy. Thankfully, we are moving at the end of the month!

Although, we haven't decided where yet... Seems to be a theme with us. We're off to town today to get it all sorted.

Okay, back to food. I whipped this up a few months ago when I was still in Ottawa, working away at finishing school and in need of an awesome meal to keep me going. 

This is definitely one of those super healthy meals that doesn't look like one, heck I even put kale in these bad boys!

Lentil Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients:

- 1.5 cups dry brown lentils

- 1/2 cup finely chopped kale

- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

- 1/3 cup finely diced peppers

- 1/3 cup chopped carrots

- 1 medium onion, minced.

-  2 tbsp tomato paste

- 1/2 cup organic ketchup

- 1/2 tsp chili powder

- 1/2 tsp cumin

- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

- Sriracha, to taste

- S/P to taste

- 1/4 head chopped cabbage or coleslaw

- Pickles of choice

- 4 ezekiel or GF buns (or cabbage cups)

Cook the lentils according to the instructions on the packaging.

In a large pan, water sauté the onions until translucent, add the carrots and cook about 5-7 mins. Add the peppers, tomatoes and kale.

Add in the spices and hot sauce and let cook for just about a minute, then add in the lentils, tomato paste and ketchup. Let it all cook until thick and saucy.

Assembly time! Bun, sloppy mixture of goodness, coleslaw or cabbage and pickles. I also prefer my bun a little toasted, gives the whole dish that perfect touch.

On nom nom....

Enjoy!


ALSO: as I have mentioned I have some plans to grow the blog. I would LOVE your input and have put together a short 2 minute survey. I would be eternally grateful if you could fill it out.
Here's the link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YJ6PH75

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CTFU Creamy Beet "Soup"

Sometimes, when one experiments in the kitchen, the outcome isn't exactly what you were going for. On some occasions, that means a disastrous goup that is pretty much inedible.

Other times, it's a delicious masterpiece.

This is one of those times.

Going to the farmer's market anywhere in the world always gives you such amazing ingredients to work with that, for me anyways, it's hard not to be inspired to combine them to make simple yet delicious dishes.

I finally got to go to the big farmer's market in the next town/city over. The produce is so fresh and there is a decent variety. Most of which we can get at our local Fruteria, but with even better prices. We even got some ripe soursop to chow down on while waiting for our bus back.

Having a farmer's market nearby is a blessing. Taking advantage of it wherever you are is essential. You can speak directly to the farmers, ask what seeds they use, what fertilizers, pesticides if any... This means that you know exactly what you are eating. It's easier to avoid GMO's, support heirloom varieties and organic farmers. The produce is always cheaper too.

Even better? Get a CSA box! You are essential becoming an investor is a small local organic farm and getting amazing produce in return. This one also has the perk of providing you with new varieties of local fruit and vegetables to try out.

So they had these amazing beets at the market, and I've been daydreaming about making some kind of borstch like soup deal. I've never had it and it has always tickled me as something that would be delicious. Now I am far from following a traditional approach to this one. I like my meal carb heavy, so I added more potatoes and some rice to make it extra carbolicious.

The plates we have here are quite festive I must say.

Creamy Beet Soup

Ingredients:

- 4-5 medium potatoes, diced.

- 1 massive beet or 2 large, 2/3 diced, 1/3 shredded.

- 5-6 medium tomatoes, diced.

- 1/2 head of cabbage, shredded.

- 2 cups rice

- 4-5 cups of water or low-sodium broth

- 1/3 cup chopped chives or green onion

- S/P to taste.

In a large pot, boil the potatoes until tender, set aside to cool.

While the potatoes are boiling, prep the beets. When they are done and cooling, add the beets and tomatoes with the water or broth and bring to a boil, turn down to a strong simmer. Once the beets are about half done, add the cabbage and the rice with extra water if needed. About 5-6 minutes later add the potatoes back in and season. 

Let it all simmer until the rice is cooked through. Mine came out as much more of a stew consistency.

Garnish with chives or green onions and serve.

Enjoy!!

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What I eat Wednesday's and Homemade Coconut Milk!

Welcome to the first What I eat Wednesday.

The purpose of this series is just to give a bit of a glimpse of what this blog is really all about. Lifestyle encompasses more than just the recipes I post, and along with the food I eat I'll talk about other subjects like fitness, meditation, self-love, gratitude and other lovely things that have proven to lead to better health and vitality.

I would also love some guest bloggers for What I eat Wednesday's, so if you feel up to it, send me a message or comment below.

I will also pop in a recipe now and again. Today it's something fairly simple: How to make fresh as can be Coconut Milk.

But first, let's start with breakfast!

The first meal of the day consisted of a beautifully ripe pineapple before the day's exercise (sprints and squats). It was really sweet and I'm guessing much higher in calories than any of the pineapple I've eaten in Canada. This is the biggest issue with fruit that's picked unripe and shipped, it just has no flavor, never ripens properly and cause digestion issues. I couldn't eat a full one because my mouth burned after 1/2. Now I eat to my heart's content!

Meal numero dos was a simple banana smoothie, I'd say about 10-12 medium ones. Just pulse blended in the blender with some pure water to the right smoothness and enjoyed throughfully.

I had another pineapple in the afternoon, I swear I could live on them!

Dinner was no doubt the most complex meal of the day. Rice with yams, red peppers, onion, nappa cabbage and a raw curry sauce made with homemade coconut milk.  The sauce is so simple, just one coconut worth of milk, 2 tomatoes, some curry powder and lime juice. If you use salt, add some in. I've been on a no-salt kick since January 1st and it's still taking some adjustment.

How to make Coconut Milk!

It's as easy as buying a coconut, I usually like using young thai coconuts, but whatever you have access to will work perfectly. Here, they have these yellow or green coconuts which are sometimes sweet, sometimes not so much. Anywho, cut open your coconut. There is a range of techniques and tools to do this, I've become pretty good at just using a knife. I suggest looking at a few youtube videos to see what works best for you. It's really worth learning!

Pour the water into your blender carafe. Now the trickier part, to get the meat out you can try a few things. The easiest way that may not get all the flesh is to just use a spoon from the opening you made to get the water out. Another way, which I always get my partner to do for me, is to smash the coconut on some hard surface (usually cement) to crack it open.

Once you've got the meat out, put it into the carafe with the water. Blend it until smooth. If you are going to cook with it, you don't need to add anything but if you want a sweeter milk, add in some soaked dates or coconut sugar along with 1/2 tsp of vanilla.

Enjoy!

Greetings from Costa Rica and Some News!

I think I escaped winter just in time. The few days following my departure were the coldest days this winter, and now there's massive snow storms flying about.

Costa Rica is beautiful, as can be expected. It's also taking me a little while to adjust to the climate, since we're pretty close to the ocean, it's very humid. I love the humidity, such a great change from the dryness of heated houses in the Canadian winter.

That being said, I am still working out our kitchen. Since we are in a long-term rental, all the kitchen ware has been provided and it certainly isn't what I'm used to. Although, I did bring the Blendtec. There is no way I am ever going without a high speed blender!

Meals so far have been very simple. Tons of amazing tropical fruit, like the papayas above, have been my staple and will continue to be as long as we're here. I also have a few recipes in reserve from when we were in Canada, which will probably be the next month or so's posts. I'll be playing a lot with local ingredients during that time, as well as mixing up some great raw items for you. I also need to get more familiar with the grocery stores and fruit stands around here to really get a lay of the land.

All these gorgeous flowers grow everywhere, which just makes me want to take pictures all day long.

We are very lucky for a few more reasons. One, vegan food is abundant in the nearby town, there is an option at every restaurant, with two of them being organic with many (labelled) vegan choices. I will definitely be posting about them here and on the Facebook page once we've decided to treat ourselves to a night out.

Also, fresh fruit smoothies are everywhere. It's easy to ask them to make them with water instead of milk, although they aren't cheap (around $3-4). My favorite combination so far has been guanabana (soursop) and strawberry. I'll definitely be making it at home when I get my hand on another soursop.

Red Bananas growing on the property

Now that we've begun a New Year, I want to ramp up this blog a bit. I'll be adding some non-food lifestyle posts, such as skincare and fitness. I believe that whole foods eating and veganism are a lifestyle, not simply a diet and being healthy involves so much more than just food! So from now on, food is definitely still going to be the main topic of posts, but we'll be diversifying it a bit to really dig in to health and what it's all about!

I am now also officially a Blendtec Affiliate, if you are interested in purchasing one, all you need to do is click the Blendtec image on the right to purchase through me. I use mine daily and stand behind it 100% in terms of usability and quality. Check it out!

View From the Kitchen Counter

I would love to know what you guys want to hear from the blog. Any types of requests are more than welcome. I have one already on the many ways to use avocado that will be coming up in the next week or so.