It's 'Queen's Day' in the Netherlands today. (and no, that's not a day dedicated to the band Queen, which would have been nice by the way) It's a day filled with festivities, and one of those is that it's my mom's birthday today!!
Happy Birthday mom!!
I'm going to visit her this afternoon and will spend the rest of the weekend over there as well.
This morning I did my very first 20-Minute AMRAP workout: 5 pushups, 10 body weight squats, 5 burpees and 10 situps. I came to a total of 14 rounds, 5 pushups and 10 squats. And I was soo tired! I even had to lie down for a while, but it didn't take too long to recover.
Of course I needed a good recovery meal, filled with lots of protein. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to have my poached egg. The yolk was still nice and runny and I totally loved it!
I also had a cooked chicken breast in my fridge, which I shredded and made a salad out of it with some celery, carrot and a nice curry dressing with fresh coriander leaves. I hand-picked my coriander from my very own herb garden in my kitchen! (which somehow made it taste even better)
Yay! I'm all excited about the fact that I poached my first egg! I did some research online, got some tips from my mom and other people and tried it tonight.
The very first egg I poached was a success, although a very small part of the eggwhite separated from the rest of the egg when dropping it in the water. Luckily most of the egg stayed where I wanted it to be and after just 4 minutes I had a really nice poached egg.
So.. How to do this: check out this page on wikihow.com!
Almost weekend again! Yes, I say that almost every Thursday, but that's just because I'm looking forward to it.
I'm going to have a busy weekend. Saturday is my mom's birthday, so I will be spending the afternoon with her and stay there until Monday. My grandparents are celebrating their birthday on Sunday, which means another birthday party to attend and on Monday morning I'm going to have a quick check-up from my therapist. So even though I'm spending my weekend away from home I certainly won't have much rest.
My mom told me she's going to make some really good cakes, so hopefully she will share the recipes with me and I'll make sure to take some pictures and post them on my blog!
I'm also going to take my running shoes with me so I can go for a run over there, it's much less busy in the area my parents live so it's better to run some distance. Or I might do an interval training, not sure yet.. Just 2 weeks until my 5km race, so I better keep my ass moving. The 5km won't be a problem, my endurance is good, my legs have gotten much stronger over the past few months. It's just that I haven't done that much actual running because I wanted to get used to my Crossfit routine first. Luckily I feel realy good these days so I can run some more and those 5km won't be a problem.
Last year I came in 63rd overall (36th in my category), in 21.56 minutes. I really want to run faster this time! Let's see what happens..
Made an easy but comforting dinner tonight. I still had some chicken stock in my fridge and thought it would be nice to stew my celeriac in. It made all the difference! It simply tasted much better like this, the flavour was more intense somehow.
I served it with some fried ground beef with yellow curry paste, the one I bought last Saturday. It's delicious!
Anyway, I'm going to keep my post short today. Enjoy the recipes!
Here's the fist dish I made with the roast chicken I had leftover from Easter. Last week in NYC I had a really nice chicken salad at Whole Foods Market (of course..) and wanted to create my own version. This worked out really well!
I figured I should make some mayonnaise for the dressing, but I had just finished the last bit of lemon juice I had left so that wasn't going to work. I did have some whole lemons, but I was going to use those for another dish. So I figured I might as well use some coconut cream and lemon zest to create my dressing, and along with some fresh coriander leaves it turned out to be delicious. And easy too!
I'm also not a huge celery fan, not at all to be honest, but I loved it this way. Somehow the dressing and the raisins didn't make it taste bitter at all and I even ate the celery leaves just like that to see what they would taste like. I liked those too.
The recipe serves just 1 person, but you can easily double it to serve more. If you'd add this salad to a foodprocessor and process it until a little smoother it would be nice to serve on crackers too.
Here's my second attempt on these mackerel patties. Last time they fell apart when I tried to flip them because they were too wet and just didn't hold together. So this morning I made them again and used an extra egg, a little more coconut flour and some more mackerel too. Worked out really well! I loved them :)
My recipe below calls for peppered smoked mackerel. However, if you can't find any, you could also use plain smoked mackerel and add crushed peppercorns yourself. I'd suggest using approx. 1 tsp.
I served my patties with a quick salad that I made out of tomato, raw cauliflower and carrot, so all in all it made a good breakfast.
I'm not sure what I'll be up to during the rest of the day but I'm certainly going to go outside and enjoy the sun. And do some more cooking, of course..
Happy Easter everyone! I hope you're all enjoying this day!
When it comes to Easter food, I made myself a couple of nice meals, not too different from what I normally eat, but I put a little more effort in it than usual.
Yesterday afternoon I suddenly had a craving for Asian food, I think the warm weather caused that. As you might now, spicy food makes people able to cool down a little. (sounds unlogical, but it makes sense when you think about it) So I ended up going to the Asian supermarket and stocked up on some good curry paste. I bought Patak's Vindaloo Paste (which is generally very hot) and some Mae Ploy Thai Yellow Curry Paste along with some Thai coriander, baby bok choy and a huge bag of dessicated coconut. So I can start cooking spicy as soon as I feel like it. Somehow shopping at the Asian supermarket always feels like a small holiday to me, I love everything about it!
Another sunny day today! Even though it's only April, it already feels like Summer.
This morning I went to the supermarket early to get my groceries for the Easter weekend. The supermarket opens at 8 a.m. and I got there around 8.10. I couldn't believe how busy it already was! As if all those people had been standing in line waiting for the store to open.. I don't think I want to know how busy it gets in there later today.
Luckily everything was well-stocked and I got myself a nice whole chicken to roast tomorrow, a pumpkin and even some veal steaks (calf's meat). I've never eaten veal steak before, but I figured I'd give it a try later this week.
I also went for another workout this morning, went quite well. Although there's a kettlebell circuit in it which tends to kill me :P
My trainer asked me if I happened to be able to poach eggs. Well, um, no.. But I'm into any type of challenge so I'm going to give it a try in the next couple of days!
For lunch I made myself some chicken meatballs and oven roasted cauliflower. Very good. I'd had the cauliflower at Whole Foods in New York and wanted to create my own version. Worked out pretty well! I still have some leftover and I think I'm going to make a salad out of it tomorrow or the day after. Or combine it with roasted broccoli.. I'm not sure yet.
Finally, I made an attempt on lettuce soup! I still had a whole head of iceberg lettuce in my fridge and didn't feel like making a salad out of it at all. I'm still into salads these days, but not the plain kind..
On of my colleagues once mentioned she made something like this and said it was really nice. The idea of boiled and pureed lettuce didn't seem too good to me, but I figured I could give it a try. It worked out really well! I loved it, and am certainly going to make it again.
The Easter weekend is coming right up now, so I'm going to head to the supermarket really early tomorrow morning (to avoid the crowds) and start shopping for some good food to cook with. Will let you know how it turned out!
Ever since coming back from New York, I've been craving salads. In fact, all of my meals so far have had some raw veggies in them.
This morning I tried to make myself some fish cakes with mackerel, but they fell apart as soon as I tried to flip them. They tasted really good though, so I'm going to have another try over the Easter weekend.
Tonight I made myself a quick dinner out of some cooked sausages I had leftover. I combined them with some tomatoes, and my very own home-grown basil! And turned it into a salad which tasted really good.
I also started working out again. Yesterday was my first one and tonight I went again, since the gym's closed tomorrow. Went really well! Tomorrow I'm going to make an attempt on running again. I'm a little worried my knee might hurt, because I kind of hurt it with all the walking I did last week. It's still a little sensitive with certain movements, but the only way to find out if I can run, is by running, so that's what I'm going to do.
My jetlag doesn't seem too bad by the way! Just a little tired in the morning and slightly fitter in the evenings than usual.
My first breakfast back home again. And I must say it isn't as much fun as having breakfast at Whole Foods, but it's probably still healthier (the eggs and my beloved chicken sausages at Whole Foods were really salty, and I loaded up on some more carbs too) and I enjoyed making this myself.
Even though it's 7am now, it still feels like 1am and time for bed. Even while I just clocked 9,5 hours of sleep. Luckily I only have 3 days of work to go and will probably feel better after relaxing over the Easter weekend.
I think I'm going to go for a workout this afternoon too, I really missed that while in New York. Especially with all those jogging people around me over there. (no, the Chinese elderly didn't inspire me to do Tai Chi, I admire them for doing so, but it's just not my thing)
I'm back from my trip to the Big Apple! Totally loved every minute of it!
While typing this, I have a huge lack of sleep (I kind of skipped a night, since my flight was at night and I couldn't keep my eyes closed for over an hour) but I still don't feel too bad. I just wanted to share my stories, food finds and pictures with you all.
To summarize our trip: eating, walking, shopping, eating, walking, shopping, eating, walking, sleeping.. Etc.. Oh and some sightseeing too.
Both my mom and me had a really great time in New York City!
Finally, my suitcase has been packed and I'm ready to go to NYC! Well, packed, it's still almost empty because I don't need to bring much and it's actually lying open in the middle of my living room. (I'm proud I haven't stumbled over it, so far!) All there's left to do is throw some remaining items in it (hairbrush, facial cleanser and creme, stuff like that), close it and pull my front door closed behind me.
Oh and I still need to go to work tomorrow too.. I tend to forget about that..
Today my colleagues asked me why I acting was so quiet, and I hadn't even noticed I was. My head was in just a few places, but most certainly not at work. I was just physically being there. (I guess my hay fever contributed to that feeling as well)
I'm sure that last day at work will be over before I realise it. My parents will pick me up later tomorrow evening, so we can leave early for the airport the next day.
I'll be back in the Netherlands again next Tuesday morning (the 19th). It's a bizarre idea that next week, around this time, my trip will already be over and I'll be jetlagged at home again. But.. In just 48 hours, I'll be in New York! (even in local time) So cool!
So you can expect an update on my blog again next Tuesday. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures, of the city itself, and -of course- of my food finds and paleo meals and post them all over here.
For now, here's a simple yet tasty recipe for you to enjoy:
For a while now, I've been thinking about making myself some fish cakes. I finally did so yesterday and ended up making these salmon patties with lemon and parsley.
I served them with some stir-fried leeks with coconut milk, curry powder and lemon juice.
I think I'm going to start packing my suitcase tonight, I keep thinking of things I need to bring anyhow so I might as well start putting things in my suitcase..
Just 3 more days to go and I'll be on my way to the airport! (sorry if I'm actually annoying people by telling how much I'm looking forward to my trip, I just can't help myself.. but at least I'll have lots of (food) stories to tell when I get back!)
Had a brand new workout schedule today. Fun!
I mostly trained my arms and core, so my legs got spared a little. That was a good thing, because last thursday's squats with 40kg (instead of 35) were slightly too hard on my knees. Not that they hurt, but the muscles around them are still a bit sore and I don't want to force anything. (I mean, I need my knees and I especially don't want to see them getting injured)
Last thursday's training was fun though! A circuit built up out of 7 exercises, I started doing 15 reps of each exercise, then 14, then 13 etc, all the way down to 1. Nice :)
Finally made me able to get rid of some stress that had built up in my head.
Yesterday I made a long list of stuff I need to pack into either my suitcase or my hand luggage next week, and bought the last few items I didn't already have. I also got myself some US Dollars so I'll be able to do quite the amount shopping during the first few days.
This morning I made a different version of last night's sesame chicken by adding dessicated coconut and cinnamon. Combined with a simple salad made out of thinly grated carrot it made a tasty breakfast.
I've discovered a new veggie I love: broccolini!
I'd had it before, but just stir-fried it, and it didn't taste too different from regular broccoli. Roasting it in my oven made quite a difference though and I liked it a lot.
I served it with some chicken pieces, coated with sesame seeds, quite nice. The picture was taken just before finishing every last bit of my dinner, at which moment I figured a picture from the food up close would be nice too, instead of a picture of my whole plate right after cooking.
These days I don't seem to be able to listen to some of my favourite songs from back in high school too often. There's Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 182, Goo Goo Dolls, System of a Down, Weezer, KoRn, Metallica, and many many more. I especially can't get enough of this song: Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag.
I loved that song!! And still do, I have to admit..
I must have driven my parents very close to crazy during high school. Not that my taste in music has changed that much, the volume just went way up!
I'm about to go and get myself some US Dollars now, but I just had to share today's lunch with you all; smoked salmon zucchini salad.
This morning I found some smoked salmon at the supermarket (I was daydreaming in front of the fish section until this caught my eye) and decided to combine it with the zucchini I still had at home. Really good!
Yay, weekend again! Only 2 days this time (normally I have 3, I know, I'm lucky), because I switched some days to be able to go to New York without having to take a lot of days off.
I don't have much planned for this weekend, besides going to get some US Dollars and buying stuff to pack in my suitcase (mini-shampoo, mini-shower gel, stuff like that..). I try to take as little with me as possible, so I can bring a whole lot of stuff back, without having to leave stuff behind because I did too much shopping. (yes that happened to me once or twice)
Tonight's dinner was this cauliflower mash. My colleagues asked me what I was going to have for dinner and when I said 'cauliflower puree with sausages' they looked at me as if I was insane. It tasted really good though!
The sausages I used were made of lamb and beef, I'd never had those before but they were very good! I'm going to stock my freezer and fridge all the way up again tomorrow. Although I do need to make sure I don't buy too many veggies, because my fridge needs to be almost empty before I leave next week.
Breakfast was easy this morning, I simply whipped myself up this stir-fry and I already know it'll keep me going all morning.
I'm planning to go for a good workout after work today and I hope I'll still feel like it when I get home by then. I've been pretty tired over the last couple of days, as if I can never get too much sleep. So lots of healthy eating for me!
This breakfast was a good start for sure.
A small update on my trip to New York: I found a wonderful place where you can get organic dairy-free ice cream. And it's not just their sorbet ice cream that's dairy-free, no EVERYTHING is dairy-free!! It's Ice Cream Heaven!
The place is called Stogo, so go check out their website to see their flavours. The ice cream is either coconut-, hemp- or soy-based. Of course I won't have the soy ice-cream (another one of my food intolerances), but the coconut and hemp ice-cream are great options. And the flavours they offer are amazing; toasted almond joy, cookies 'n cream, key lime, peaches 'n cream, vanilla chocolate chip, maple walnut.. Yum!
Everything's gluten-free too by the way!
My mom and me have already been drooling just by reading the flavours on the phone, and we can't wait to try some of them. The place is pretty close to our hotel, but it should've been a little further so we'd have to exercise a little more to work the ice cream off.
On their website they mention that they also feature other gluten-free vegan and raw desserts, and I can't wait to try those either. I guess we'll just have to get 2 scoops to eat right away, 2 for the walk home, and another type of dessert to enjoy back at the hotel. I don't see any other option!
Since I had to attend some classes today I needed to make myself a quick lunch. This fritatta is what came to mind and it worked out pretty well!
Luckily I had a large part of the morning off so I went for a long run; 45 minutes. Had been a while since I ran any longer than 25 minutes but it felt so easy. It hardly took me any effort.
I actually wanted to go to the gym tonight as well, but the whole afternoon has been really hectic and I'm tired now, so I won't go. I guess I'll just go to bed early tonight and go to the gym tomorrow.
Why would you make pumpkin cookies when you could also make chocolate pumpkin cookies?
Right, that's what I thought!
I don't know why I'm craving cookies all the time, but I really like experimenting with them these days. So far, these are one of my favourites!
Quite moist on the inside, rich chocolate flavour, walnuts..
These would be perfect for an Easter treat! And that's why I decided to join in Kelly's recipe roundup for 'Our Spunky Holiday', the Easter edition!
She has some wonderful recipes on her own blog, go check it out over here: The Spunky Coconut
Today's lunch turned out really well! I didn't even mean to turn it into a recipe, but I liked it a lot so I figured I might as well post it.
I often make burgers out of steak tartar, because I like the taste and structure better than when I'd use ground beef.
This morning I went to the market again and it's a good think I've been working out a lot as I loaded my bag with loads of veggies. It all looked so tasty. And then I saw a nice butternut and a huge cauliflower, and, and.. Before I knew it I could hardly carry the stuff anymore.
People who see me walking around with that huge amount of veggies, carefully piled up into 2 baskets and still trying to add some more without everything falling on the ground, still give me funny looks as if I'm going to feed a huge family.
Unless someone asks explicitly, I'll never tell it only takes me a week to eat all of that, by myself.
The herbs I seeded last week have already started growing! The thyme, basil and mint have sprouted already, and the coriander shows signs of sprouting too. So I only need to wait for the parsley and chives to come up too. I hope they'll survive when I'm in NYC though.. Would be a shame if they didn't, but I guess they will.
Lesson I learnt today: don't eat anything spicy before a workout.
I had my leftover meatballs for breakfast this morning and went to the gym about an hour later. That didn't feel too good in my stomach..
The workout in itself went fine though, and as from next week I'll have a new workout scheme, I wonder what it's going to be like. I liked my old scheme, but I guess it's time for a change, I've been doing pretty much the same workouts for a month now.
For lunch, I had these chicken coconut burgers, along with a crispy green salad with some romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, salad herbs, EVOO, lemon juice and topped with a few raw almonds.
The burgers were really coconutty, just the way I wanted them to be. For a spicier version, you could add a red chili pepper, or serve them with some spicy (home-made) salsa of your choice.
Today was as beautiful as they said it would be! Warm and sunny! So of course I couldn't resist going outside for a while, and I didn't even need a coat, just a t-shirt, and some sunglasses of course.
For dinner I made myself these meatballs in a creamy curry sauce. They were quite spicy because of the curry powder I used and because I added a red hot chili pepper (no, not one from the band..) so if you don't like spicy food; use a mild curry powder and don't add the pepper..
I served them with celeriac, roasted with carway seeds. I diced them to make them look like those potato cubes I used to love, but of course they were nothing like it. Still really good though, you just can't compare them! I'd never cooked with caraway seeds before, but I liked them, they added a nice aromatic taste to the celeriac. I don't really know how else I can use them yet, but I'll probably think of something soon.
Here's one of my very few recipes (or perhaps it's the only one) for baking without using any nuts. Ok, well, I did use coconut, but that's different, right?
Either way, I really enjoyed these macaroons while watching some Prison Break last night. I just love my Friday night treats..
Finally, it's weekend again! I haven't exactly been able to do a lot of cooking last week, but I plan to make up for that this weekend.
According to the weather forecast it's going to be 23 degrees Celsius tomorrow. I can't wait! I definitely need some warm, sunny weather, as it's been way too long. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to enjoy it yet, I'll probably just be outside a lot. Maybe go for a run..
Oh and it's April 1st again.. The one day of the year where everyone pulls pranks on eachother. Luckily I haven't been fooled yet today! (although there still are a couple of hours left, and I'm pretty easy to fool..)
Tonight I'm just going to watch some Prison Break. And the dishes need to be done too.. I better start with that to get it over with.
For dinner, I made myself this Indian spiced curry, as I love Indian food. They can make anything taste good! Too bad they do use a lot of yogurt in their dishes, but that's easily substituted with coconut milk, and perhaps some lemon juice.
