Browsing Tag

gluten-free

Birthday Celebration Tarts

June 3, 2013
katie-birthday

Today is my birthday! I turn 26.

The day brought much reprieve and rest, along with ample sunshine. My fiancé and I packed a picnic lunch and spent the afternoon enjoying some lovely eats and the warm weather along the harbor. We even have some new freckles to prove it.

I don’t usually aim for anything too fancy on the big day. I like keeping things simple. I’m totally content with enjoying a nice meal with friends and sharing some dessert. There’s always some dancing involved too. Over the weekend I did just that. I set off gallivanting the streets of Cork with my dear friend Emma. You can be sure there was plenty of banter and laughter shared, the best kind of celebrating.

Upon arriving at Emma’s house on Saturday, she remarked, “You look like a tart.” This was funny for multiple reasons. First off, Irish insults are interesting terms of endearment which are abundant in the friendship between Emma and me. Secondly, as coincidence would have it, I just so happened to be experimenting with these raw tarts for my birthday. I went on to explain the intricacies of making raw tarts with nothing but nuts and dates. It turns out we both have bold minds. We collapsed in a huge fit of giggles. Who knew Veganism could be so risqué?

These tarts are pretty amazing. Let’s forget for a moment that they are vegan, gluten-free and raw, and just focus on the delectable elements that combine to create perfection. Raw desserts really are my fave (especially during the summer months.) I can enjoy an incredibly delicious, nutrient-dense dessert without post-dessert remorse. I can feel really good about what I am putting into my body, and what I am feeding the people I love. That is truly something to celebrate.

birthday-celebration-raw-tarts

Raw Berry Tarts

Serves 6

Ingredients:

Crust:

  • 1 cup of almonds
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 cup of medjool dates

Filling:

  • 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked for 3 hours)
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 3 Tbsp filtered water
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Toppings:

  • fresh blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries
  • mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Crust:

  1. In a high powered blender or food processor, blend the almonds and allspice until it becomes a fine consistency. Then add in the dates one by one until they have all been added and you have a sticky dough.
  2. Divide the mixture into 6 muffin or tart tins.  Then press the mixture into the tin forming the crust.
  3. Place them in the fridge until you are ready to fill them.

Filling:

  1. Drain the cashews after they have been soaking for at least three hours and place them in a blender or food processor along with the lemon juice, zest, water and maple syrup. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding additional water as needed.

Assembly:

  1. Place the filling in each tart, heaping it up in the center, using up all the filling. Top each tart with berries and a garnish of mint leaves. Enjoy!

Tarts are best eaten same day but will keep in the fridge for up to two days. 

 Now it’s time to pop some bubbly and toast to another amazing year.

10 Comments

Pineapple Rosemary Limeade

May 30, 2013
pineapple-rosemary-limeade

There is nothing better than a long summer’s evening. With daylight stretching well past 10pm here in Ireland, there is plenty of time to unwind with a cold drink in hand. As the days get warmer and longer, nothing is quite as refreshing as a tall glass of limeade. Anyone who has made limeade from scratch before probably has their ideal ratio of lime and water down to a science. In case you don’t, I’ve got you covered – plus we’re adding some unexpected flavors. Classic limeade is nice, it is also extra nice with an added twist of rosemary and pineapple. This sunny weather classic has a woody, sour bite that would be a fine addition to any summertime spread.

Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just need to cool off with on a hot day, a good drink recipe is always good to have on hand. This sultry take on the sidewalk-stand classic will be a huge hit this weekend. If you’re feeling extra frisky, try adding a drop of your preferred liquor. I know what I’ll be sipping on this weekend ;)

rosemary-infused-limeade

Pineapple Rosemary Limeade

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pineapple, chopped (3 cups)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup lime juice (from about 4 limes)
  • 12 oz club soda
  • Ice, for serving

Directions:

  1. Pulse pineapple in a food processor until very finely chopped or run pineapple through a juicer. 
  2. Add pineapple, rosemary, lime juice and club soda to a pitcher and stir to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with additional rosemary.
2 Comments

Vegan Spring Rolls

May 14, 2013
vegan-spring-rolls

Oh, I’ve been looking forward to sharing this with you! Not only because it has become my favorite snack/meal, but also due to the fact that it is a tribute to spring and all the amazing light summer meals this time of year! While we have seen many more rain showers than we’ve seen the sun over the last few days, I know warmer temperatures are on the way (fingers crossed!). Spring rolls are the perfect food to get you feeling like warmer days are already here.

Before I made my first spring roll, I have to admit, I was intimidated to take on the task – especially after my sushi rolling experience. But let me tell you, once you start making your own spring rolls, you’ll never stop. It is so much easier that you would think, and this way you can come up with crazy concoctions that you would not be able to order from take out. After a little practice, I know you’ll be raving about them as much as me.

I love the idea of stuffing what is fresh and seasonal into a spring roll. Because spring is here, I chose to go with a mostly green veggie palette – cilantro, lettuce, avocado, cucumber and carrot for a little color and something sweet. Use whatever you have on hand and what is in season. This meal is a great way to use up all the little bits of veggies hanging out in the fridge that you haven’t found a use for.

veggie-spring-rolls-vegan

Vegan Spring Rolls

Serves 6 rolls

Ingredients:

  • 6 rice paper wraps (found in health food shops or the Asian section of well stocked markets)
  • lettuce
  • 1/2 cup cilantro sprigs
  • 1 1/4 cup grated carrots
  • 1 2/4 cup grated cucumber
  • 1 large avocado

Directions:

  1. Set up your roll work space. You need a large bowl of warm water and a damp dish towel to work on. Set out your lettuce, cilantro, carrots, cucumber and avocado.
  2. Working one roll at a time, put the rice wrap flat into the large bowl of warm water, being careful to not let it curl up, until soft, about one minute.
  3. Lay the wrap down on the dish towel. Down the center, like a burrito, layer the cilantro, lettuce,small handful of the carrots, cucumber and a few slices of avocado. Fold over the top and bottom ends over the filling, tuck the right flap over and then roll to close. Repeat with remaining wraps.

 

Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com

10 Comments

My Three Day Detox Plan

April 26, 2013
my-three-day-detox-plan

Spring has definitely started to reveal it’s pretty face in my part of the world. The beginning of a new season always sparks enthusiasm for new habits, fresh goals and great ideas. If it takes the arrival of a new season to inspire you to do a detox, then let’s do it! But if you have never done a cleanse or detox before it can be overwhelming. On the other hand, if you have and you didn’t get the results you expected, this post might give you some insight and inspiration to give it a shot and succeed in a way that could truly change your life forever.

Whether you want to commit to a healthier eating regimen or simply treat your body to some rest, my three-day detox plan is a delicious way to do it. I’ve prepared a streamlined menu of big batch meals so that you can front load all of the work. By eating clean you will help your body focus on detoxing, rather than on breaking down complex foods. According to many ancient health philosophies such as traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, the spring season rules the liver, an organ that’s essential for overall wellness, but especially digestion.

These dishes give your digestive system a rest from processed foods and allergens like dairy and gluten. Loading up on the season’s fibrous fruits and vegetables helps remove toxins. A regular cleanse will support a desire to maintain a healthier, much lower level of toxins and move them out on a constant basis in order to avoid disease. Since spring is an optimal time to refresh your energy and start something new, it’s also a great time to simplify your eating and choose foods that will support your overall health.

green-smoothie

Basic Outline of the Detox

A plant-based, alkalizing lifestyle, as I embrace with this blog, will naturally flush toxins to detox the body and allow it to return to it’s ideal body weight.

  • Alkalizing the body with chlorophyll rich green veggies naturally buffers the acids from an acidic lifestyle and assists in flushing toxins.
  • A balance of 80% veggies to 20% healthy acidic whole foods – see alkaline chart here – in an everyday way to be constantly detoxing your body. Choose organic whenever possible, prepare meals that are colorful and juice daily if you can.
  • Consume good quality water, 2-3 liters per day to really flush those toxins and minimize the detox symptoms one might experience.  If you are quite “toxic” and have never cleansed I recommend you go easy and do a slower version by leaning into a clean detoxing alkaline lifestyle.  Start adding as much veggies and green juice as you can handle every single day and continually increase to the 80/20 ratio.
  • I highly recommend this juice cleanse to flush your system and jump start your detoxing alkaline lifestyle.  Take a thorough read through the post and see if it’s for you. It changed my life for good! If the body can really detox and there are no more or considerably less toxins coming in, magic happens!

DAY 1, 2 & 3

RECIPES

Ginger Lemon Detox

ginger-lemon-detox 
Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces spring or filtered water, at room temperature
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2-inch knob of ginger root

Directions:

  1. Add the lemon juice  and ginger root to the glass of water. Enjoy at room temperature upon rising for an amazing start to the day!

 

Apple with Tahini

apple-with-tahini

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 sweet apple (such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady), cored and sliced

Directions:

  1. Drizzle tahini over apple.

 

Activated Nuts and Seeds

activated-nuts-and-seeds

Serves 3

Ingredients:

  • 3 handfuls raw almonds (you can use almonds or a mixture of macadamia nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds if desired)
  • filtered or spring water, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, place all of the ingredients with enough water to cover fully. Leave at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Strain and store the nuts in a covered container in the fridge.

 

Calming Chamomile Tea

calming-chamomile-tea

Serves 1

  • 1 cup spring or filtered water
  • 1 chamomile tea bag or 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers

Directions:

  1. Bring the water to a boil and pour into a teacup or mug. Add the tea bag or, if using loose flowers, use a teapot and a strainer. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes, then enjoy.

Optionally, try other herbal detox teas such as nettle, dandelion root or licorice root.

simple-quinoa-salad

After completing such a regimen, you will develop a pattern of taking care of yourself that will stick if you are persistent right now. You’ll also begin to notice some pretty amazing things. Pay attention to your body and really try to feel and notice the way your energy changes. Do you feel more vibrant, more energetic? Are you sleeping better? Is your skin glowing? Your skin tells all- your depth of color and brightness and clarity show how healthy you are! It will be contagious and maybe your friends will start on a healthier journey with you!

Are you excited about a new direction for your health? I hope you are inspired by the messages here. I’m about to start a spring cleaning so I’d love to have you join me May 1st-3rd! As always, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line with any questions or comments you might have. Also be sure to sign up for my newsletter where I share exclusive content, recipes and fun tips!

Sending you vibrant health and strength to make the best choices possible for your body so you can thrive this year and for many more to come!

 

*Disclaimer: The content on this site is not written with intentions to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatments. Our content is for information purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat health issues of any sort. We cannot be held liable for any ill effects caused by following these instructions or this material. Always consult with a medical professional when adjusting your diet. 

 

14 Comments