WALK THE WALK

To start off, I have to thank my dear friend for taking me with her for this experience. Thanks to Dr. van der Hoog ,she had won a catwalk training with model-, fashion expert and founder of Bdifferent,  Kim Vos. An amazing energetic, inspiring, warm and strong woman.  She has the quality to make you feel right at home and  "special" too (this sounds corny, I know but it's true).  The location was a great bright studio with the most amazing, raw, red bricked wall.

With a group of eight we thought about our personal qualities but also about how other people (friends or strangers) perceive us. The input for this, was a walk up and down the studio. After writing this down she added her opinion to this and strangely enough she was right on the spot with almost every person. After channelling this back to the group two words would be chosen and written on your arms. On the right, a quality that you poses. On the left a word that can guide you, to the kind of person you want to be.  After completing this we started walking and working on our techniques. Shoulders back, belly up an in ...etc.
 

 

When it was time for a break we had an amazingly healthy lunch. Totally my thing and I enjoyed it very much.

Green gazpacho, fresh fruit, Home made humus and baba ganoush, A lentil, goats cheese salad and a spinach goats cheese salad with falafel and other vegetables.   
 

Proceeding we started getting more into the walking and practising this in different types of ways. For example, walking like a boy or walking very toughly (my favourite). We also participated in a activity where you had to look at yourself and pick out things you like about yourself. After this your partner tells you their favourite part of your body/face. A great practice for boosting up your confidence because you don't allow yourself to think negative thoughts. You learn to give certain thoughts their own place and accept them. Things are what they are.

Ok, before I become to hazy. We finished with a trial of walks ending with a real catwalk run threw. All and all it was a great experience that will stick for quite a while. For which I would like to thank my friend, Kim Vos and Dr. van der Hoog. Whom also provided all of us with an amazing goodie-bag stuffed with great products. I have already tried some and I must say I am quite amazed about the quality of their products. Especially the sensitive face mask is lovely!

SUPER RAW

Raw, its a hype, is't good, it's healty, but is it nice? I have been trying out some different things the past weeks and this is one of them. This is a raw salad with mango. avocado, beets, almonds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and spinach.So what is so special about these products?

 

Avocados

Avocados are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat with a rich and satisfying taste and many benefits for your health and appearance.  Besides containing a broad spectrum of vitamins: such as vitamin C, vitamin E, Vitamin K and B vitamins like B5, B6 and folic acid  and minerals. Avocado's do so much more! While 100 grams of avocado usually has around 15 grams of fat, the majority of this is monounsaturated oleic acid. This is the same beneficial monounsaturated fat found in olive oil which makes it so good for your body and health. They are vital for good health and even for losing weight. Avocados contain antioxidants. These antioxidants provide important protection for your body’s cells, from free radical damage that leads to the visible signs of aging and a variety of diseases like cancer and it even helps your short range vision!

Beets

You already know that beets are an insane source of vitamins and minerals namely Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid. But, did you know that beets are the second largest source of sugar, after sugar cane? and even more. Seriously. One of the first known uses of beets was by the ancient Romans, who used them medicinally as an aphrodisiac. And that’s not just urban legend – science backs it up. Beets contain high amounts of boron, which is directly related to the production of human sex hormones. Furthermore. They are a wonderful tonic for the liver, works as a purifier for the blood, and can similar as the avocado prevent various forms of cancer. Beets also help reduce stomach acid, are a high source of energy. Get reddy to be happy,  contain betaine, the same substance that is used in certain treatments of depression. It also contains trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate. At last beets can also lower your blood pressure.

 Mangos

Not different from beets and avocados mangos also help protect against various cancers. It also lowers cholesterol and helps patients with diabetes.  One cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A. This promotes good eyesight and prevents night blindness and dry eyes. Because of the vitamin ,E mangos should be great for your sex-life.  Even though the popular connection between sex drive and vitamin E was originally created by a mistaken generalization on rat studies, further research has shown balanced proper amounts (as from whole food) does help in this area. If you have troubles with heat lashes, juicing the fruit from green mango and mixing with water and a sweetener helps to cool down the body and prevent harm to the body. As well mangos contain enzymes for breaking down protein. There are several fruits, including mangoes, which have this healthful quality. The fiber in mangos also helps digestion. Last but not least,  the generous amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A in mangos, plus 25 different kinds of carotenoids help keep your immune system healthy and strong. The fruit can be used both internally and externally for the skin. Mangos clear clogged pores and eliminate pimples.Hoorey!

Spinach

The poppye effect,,.There is much lore regarding spinach, most famously as the source of Popeye's strength. Spinach is available all year round but is in season during the spring (March - June). It is well known for its nutritional qualities and has always been regarded as a plant with remarkable abilities to restore energy, increase vitality and improve the quality of the blood. Primarily because of  the fact that it is rich in iron. Iron plays a central role in the function of red blood cells which help in transporting oxygen around the body, in energy production and DNA synthesis. Spinach is also an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folic acid as well as being a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2. Vitamin K is important for maintaining bone health and it is difficult to find vegetables richer in vitamin K than spinach. What I mailny like about ist is that a spinach in high in vitamin A, which is necessary for sebum production to keep hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. Spinach and other leafy greens high in vitamin C are imperative for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair.

Almonds

Besides reducing hearts attack and heart disease risk and lowering bad cholesterol, the phosphorus in almonds helps build strong bones and teeth. Although nuts are high in fat, frequent nut eaters are thinner on average than those who almost never consume nuts. (Data from the Nurses’ Health Study). Those who ate nuts at least two times per week were 31 percent less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom ate them. Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals and they help provide good brain function. Almonds contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, nutrients that boost brain activity and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pumpkin seed

If you ever have a hard time sleeping you should have yourself a portion of pumpkin seed. They’re high in the sleep-enhancing amino acid tryptophan that converts to serotonin in your body and helps ensure a good night’s sleep. They’re also high in the heart-healing mineral magnesium, which is also Nature’s natural relaxant. The  high levels of easily-digestible protein helps stabilize blood sugar when eaten as a snack throughout the day.  Stable blood sugar means weight loss if you’re trying to lose.

Hemp seed

The protein and fiber in hemp combine to slow digestion, which prevents spikes in blood sugar and therefore sustains your body’s energy. A diet rich in hemp promotes digestive regularity.  When sprinkled on your cereal or fruit at breakfast, hemp protein and fiber also help aid in satiety, which will prevent you from snacking and keep you fuller longer.  The Omega-3 fatty acids in hemp reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, and may even ward off Alzheimer’s disease. Hemp seeds are one of the few Omega-3 sources found in plants. The Omega-6 fatty acids in hemp stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and help the brain function. Hemp seeds contain essential amino acids, which improves muscle control, mental function, and normal body maintenance of cells, muscle, tissues, and organs.

 The recipe

Needed:

half a mango

one avocado

two raw beets

two hands of spinach

2 tbsp of almonds

2 tbsp of pumpkin seeds

3 tbsp of hemp seeds

1 Wash your spinach, peel, cut and slice your mango, beets and avocado and set them in a bowl.
2 Roast the nust and seeds in a pan without using any oil, until roasted.
2 Set the nuts on top of the salad and top it of by using some lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. 

Easy peasy, Enjoy!

Ps: Yes it is very nice and surprisingly filling. 

BIT TO BITE

One of my favourite things is to go out for a bite to eat. Although I enjoy cooking myself, it always makes it a little bit better, when there is an element of surprise. You (almost) never know how it's going to turn out on your plate. This always makes me kind of anxious. What makes it even better is, when you have smaller bites so you can eat more different things. Also known as Tapas. Quite a while ago I went to a new restaurant called "Stan & Co." that turned up in the centre of Utrecht. It has an American vibe with rough brick walls, advertisements, light signs, woods and metals. I thought the food was very nice but also very pricey. Although they work with "green" materials and suppliers a simple caprese from this format should not have cost more than 5 euro's. So my conclusion: fun for once but not again.

 caprese with Mozzarella, fried basil, tomato and flake

 Yakitori with sesame seeds and noodles

 salmon with avocado cream and black sesame seeds

 Flat bread with rucola, pesto and seranoham

Scampi's with lemon

Cod with lentils

steak rolls filled with rice served with mango chipotle

ORANGE AND BLUE

Today I would like to share with you another of my recipes. I like to figure out what I am going to eat by finishing of the leftovers from a time before. It prevents throwing away food and makes you think of combinations you would not have normally made. This recipe is a blue cheese and orange salad. It's a nice alternative for a summers meal when you have had a big lunch. You see my friend and I could not resist splurging on a steak and cheese from the Subway. It's bad, It's unhealthy but mostly those kinds of food are the most tempting and tasty. For now back to the salad. It's not rocket science to put a salad together so I will present you with a photo and the ingredients  necessary to make it. Just hop and chop and you will have a nice meal.

You will need:
- a salad of some sort. Don't take one like rucola for it will me to strong with the other elements.
- Blue Cheese
- one orange
- two tomatoes
- a nut mix. I chose a honey coated one
- Honey mustard dressing

If you don't like blue cheese try using brie or fetta

Hope you trie,

O AZIAN FOOD

I have found myself experimenting more and more with the Asian cuisine. Although I have a long way to go there is no better way to get inspired than by eating it at a restaurant. There are many possibilities for eating out and trying different cuisines. We all know the "all you can eat" restaurants where you can try everything from over salted stir fry to stale sushi. In my opinion you have to search quite a bit to find that one that does serve all the good stuff with the right quality. For now I have found two spots that score high at my ranks. One of them I have featured once before, and I am doing yet again. For one the food is presented as if it where a present.  As you can see below: But it also tastes very good. The sushi is never dry, everything is biological and selected the "green" way, prepared the same day and shows a gathering of many flavours.

 Sushi roll with crab

 Vegetarian sushi roll with asparagus

 White noodle salad with tuna

Truffle chocolate cake with fruit salad.

If you want to visit the website visit this link: LE:EN. Note this is not an all you can eat restaurant. Visit this link if you want to see the great looks of this restaurant: Previous post. If you do want to go to a good all you can eat visit the Hasekura where I have tasted the best sushi in Utrecht yet.

TOMATO TOMAATO

Easter has just passed so that means mixing up all leftover goodies from the breakfast table. Some of my definite favourites are a soft boiled egg, spianata romana, Castello blue and gambozola cheese. Probably not everyone's favourites but I really enjoy them. The last three also with a good red wine in the evening. Today I want to share with you a recipe  I found coincidently by finishing up those left overs. It concerns the spianata romana and the Castello blue cheese. Spianata romana is a peppery salty salami from Rome surroundings. As you might have noticed the name doesn't keep that a secret. I found it interesting to learn it is also flavoured with garlic crushed in wine. Castello Blue is a bit more commercialized as the name says blue cheese. I find it is one of the softer and creamy versions of blue cheeses. I have known it from being a little girl,where it lied positioned in the fridge door of my parents. Yet I have only liked blue cheese for the past half a year or so. Before that, I made well sure it never touched my food. I have always found it to be a curious thing that persons taste can change drastic over a few years.

So for the recipe, I think a photo says more than the description.

 What you'll need:

- Pasta ( I prefer linguine)
- Basic tomato souce
- Three or four tomato's
- Thinly sliced fianata romana
- Castello blue
- One onion (preferably a red one)
- Two garlic cloves
- Olive oil

What to do:
1. Boil some water and make your pasta according to the package.  Add salt to the water to add taste.
2. Start with slicing the onions and squashing or roughly chopping the garlic. 
3. Add some olive oil to a frying pan and start by adding the onion slices. After a minute or so you can add the garlic.
4. In the meanwhile you dice the tomatoes. If you dislike having the skins in your sauce you can also go for pre skinned tomatoes. Or, boil them shortly in water to pull of the skins easily. For me I dont care for the hassle and also the skin carries the most of the vitamins.
5. Once your onions and garlic have a nice browned colour you add the diced tomatoes. This is also the moment to add more greens if you prefer. For instance you could add aubergine or paprika. Let this simmer for a while before you add the tomato sauce.
6. Add the tomato sauce and let it heat for a while so the sauce can thicken.
7. Prepare a clean plate with kitchen paper. Take a small frying pan to crisp the fianata romana. Heat the pan without adding oil and bake the thin slices of fianata romana until they start to have a white shimmer and browned edges. When they look right carefully place them on the kitchen paper so this can distract most of the fat.
8. Serve your pasta on a plate and season it with salt and pepper. Poor a good amount of sauce over the pasta. For now the fun bit. Take good chunks of the cheese and add them on top of the sauce. For the last bit take the crunchy pieces of  salami and spread them over your dish.  As a garnish you could add some basil. This makes the colours pop and goes well with the recipe.

Hope you try this sometime,  

 

PASTA PERFCET

They say "When in Rome, do as the romans do". Yet still When i am in London i prefer visiting my favourite restaurant near Victoria station "Da Scalzo" over fish and chips. It's a Italian restaurant with great food, service and the best pizza i have ever had.

LUCKY ORANGE DRAGON

PASTA PERFECT

Oh I  do have a love for pasta. This is a tortelini  with pesto filled with prosquito and a fresh salad with mozarella, rucola and cherry tomatoes.  Jumm! O and a new designer bowl I received as a gift. I like.

PORT & SUGAR

Every month I meet up with some friends to enjoy fine cuisine. For each different get together we choose a theme and every time we get to prepare a different course. I like to try out different things , although they might not always work out that well. This time the theme chosen was alcohol.
I chose to make something typically Dutch with a twist of my own. The alcohol used is a Ruby Port. Beneath you can see what I got up with.

What I came up with is a vanilla, cinnamon and port Poached pear mousse  with a syrup of port and the pair decoction aside of a bitter chocolate crisp with roasted almonds that's underneath a Meringue with caramel splinters.

I was quite proud of the result, and it tasted quite good too.

SUCKER FOR SUSHI

One of my definite favourites, luckily my boyfriend works at an Asian Tappas restaurant called LE:EN <3. Explanation of "Tappas": Little bites of  delicious food.

 Fortune Chocolate