Eat-Clean Recipe :: Crispy Quinoa and Cashew Date Cookies

Hello guys!

Have you ever found serenity and calmness when you're baking? Or the excitement and enthusiasm when you are waiting for the timer to ring off? Because I know I do, but that doesn't mean that girls are meant to be in kitchen all the time lol!

It is just so surreal when I get to try experimenting with new ingredients and it turns out good. I am currently trying out on this unique ingredient called Quinoa [pronounced Keen-Wah]. Pretty sure you have heard it once or twice but never really try it before, am I right to say that?

This superfood is "a grain crop grown primarily for its edible seeds", as stated on Wikipedia, and known to be a high-protein seed, in a way that per 100 calories, it is higher than brown rice, potatoes, barley and millet, but is less than wild rice and oats. Also, it lacks gluten, a.k.a gluten-free food which I will do a separate post on it. Currently, eliminating gluten from my diet (referring to my eating lifestyle), I just found out that I am gluten-intolerance. So, I would update you more about it on another post.

No doubt that Quinoa has just entered my list of superfood. I really reckon you to give it a try by replacing your white rice with this quinoa seed, or making these grain-free, sugar-free and gluten-free cookies recipe that I am going to share today.

Trust me, you won't be able to keep your hands off the cookie jar, 'cos it is happening to me now lol! ;-)

Recipe:
Ingredients: 

• 1 cup quinoa flour*
• 1 1/2 cup cashew flour (or almond flour)
• 1 tbsp Manuka Honey (or pure raw honey)
• 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp Date Syrup (or 1/4 cup honey, and more to taste)
• 1 tbsp Applesauce
• 1 tbsp Macadamia Nut Oil/ Almond Oil/ Grapeseed Oil
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 300°F.
2. Mix quinoa flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add honey and applesauce until crumbly dough forms. Add the honey slowly, making sure the dough is crumbly. The key is to make sure your dough is crumbly, so you can cut cookies out of the dough. Shape the dough in a ball and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Lay parchment paper on the kitchen counter, put the dough in the middle and cover with another parchment paper on the top. Gently roll the dough in 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutter make 2 inches circles and place them on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until you have about 20 to 24 cookies.
4. Bake cookies for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown, turning it over after 10 minutes mark.
5. Let cookies cool completely and store in air-tight container. 

Making Quinoa Flour* :

1. Pour Quinoa to a non-stick pan and put it on a medium heat.

2.Toast the quinoa in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Quinoa will make a light popping sound, when the toasting begins, for about a minute or two.

4. Let quinoa cool.

5. Add to a food processor and blend on high until you get a fine flour. 

I didn’t want to just be on a diet for a couple of months, I am actually cultivating this healthy lifestyle for  the rest of my life. Right now, I am eating 6-7 small, nutrient-dense meals on 2-3 hours intervals. I realised that meal planning was critical if I wanted to eat 6-7 meals a day! 

The key to eating healthy throughout the day is to keep healthy foods readily available. Trust me, by making your food in advance, you would definitely remain on track without blindly eating whatever food is available in front of your sight. So I learned to make some easy healthy snacks that would satisfy my cravings.

Here's a cookie for you, and as always, eat clean and stay beautiful.

Eat-Clean Recipe :: Chocolate Protein Oat Waffles

Grattis International Våfflor dagen, killar! Alla älskar våfflor rätt, som inte?
[Happy International Waffles Day, guys! Everyone loves waffles right, who doesn't?] in Swedish

Food makes everyone happy, but what makes me happier and ecstatic is when I can turn those delicious food into a healthier one where everyone can still enjoy it. It's just my new definition of sharing happiness with people like you! :-)

Waffles, waffles, waffles! Brilliant for any meals of the day and never can anyone get bored of it, I meant it's soooo waffle-liciously delicious! Perfect pair with <3 ice-cream <3, peanut butter, nutella, fruits or anything.. it's like heaven on a plate! 

But hold up, how about healthy waffles that's gonna make you feel happier and guilt-free after devouring it? Yes, sounds like we are on the same page. 

To celebrate International Waffle Day (originated from Sweden), I will be sharing waffle recipe today!

You are just "2 steps" away from having a wonderful plate of heavenly waffles, no joke! ;-)


Recipe:
Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup oat flour 
• 1/2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract/ powder
• 1/2 stick stevia (or preferred sweetener)
• 1 tbsp greek yoghurt
• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tbsp unsweetened soy/ almond milk
• Optional toppings: Strawberry, Berries, Banana, Chocolate Sauce*, Nut Butter, Tahini, Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, Date Syrup, Greek Yogurt etc.

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, till a thick batter is formed. 
2. Heat up the waffles maker (make sure it's hot), cook for about 4-5 minutes till golden brown. 
3. Serves best when it's fresh from the maker!

For Chocolate Sauce*: Mix 1/3 cup unsweetened soy/ almond/ skimmed milk, 1/8 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, 1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese, 1/2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder and honey to taste.

See, it's that simple! If you do not have a waffle maker, you can always turn this into a pancake. Now, who dare says that eating-clean is boring? 

On a side note, I am gonna try to post healthy recipes every fortnight, well, at least this would get you to anticipate for the next recipes. It's worth waiting for these recipes, right right? Again, Happy International Waffle Day, guys! 

As always, 

eat clean and stay beautiful!

Eat-Clean Recipe In A Minute :: Chunky Monkey Overnight Oatmeal In A Jar (OIAJ)

Hey guys!

Now that there are two recipes up on this blog, have you given a shot on those healthy recipes? I hope you did! 

Oatmeal, who doesn't love oatmeal? I know I do! If you haven't noticed, most of my recipes use oat flour or rolled oats, in fact I would try to use it whenever possible and basically put all other flours such as whole wheat flour, or spelt flour aside. 

For today's post, it would be Recipe In A Minute again because I realised something about the people in Singapore. Whenever I am out in the morning, no matter if it is weekday or weekend, Singaporeans (or everyone on the street) would always be in a rush. So, I decided to share more recipes that are easy to prepare (in fact, most of my recipes are quick and simple)!

If you are one of those people who seems to be running out of time in the morning and always failed to have breakfast before leaving the house, then I suggest you give this recipe a try. It requires no baking, really, all you need is a jar, a few ingredients, a fridge and do some harlem shake with the jar (nah no, harlem shake is so last year!! lol). 

 

This got to be my most favorite Overnight OIAJ, Chunky Monkey. Nothing can go wrong with some nut butter, chocolate, and bananas!

Recipe:

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup Soy/ Almond/ Skimmed milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat Greek Yogurt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon honey (to taste)
• 1 medium banana
• 1 tsp Natural Unsweetened Almond Butter/ Peanut Butter
• Optional: 1 tsp Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions: 

1. In a jar (or a lunchbox), add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and nut butter.
2. Put lid on jar and harlem shake until well combined. 
3. Remove lid, add bananas, and chocolate chips and stir until mixed throughout. 
4. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled. 

How much simpler can it get! I always make this whenever I crave for some pudding or maybe, ice-cream (chances are I would go get myself a scoop 'cos I am seriously a sucker for ice-cream, only ice-cream! :-p). I reckon you give this a try, and add in whatever toppings you want to be inside your OIAJ. I will post more OIAJ recipes with different combinations of toppings, hopefully you can also come out with your own unique combooo!

As mentioned earlier on my latest Instagram post, I'm pretty sure that most of you skip breakfast just because you've no time. While some may argue that the importance of breakfast is a myth, I think otherwise. When you skip breakfast, you tend to be hungry before lunch hour, and guess what, you will start to eat more than you should for lunch! And that's bad, so always prepare easy breakfast to avoid over-eating.

Shake your laziness away, and stay healthy! :-)

Eat-Clean Recipe In A Minute :: 2- Ingredients Chewy Banana Oat Cookies

Hello guys! As much as I want to share all the recipes with you, it seems like I am pretty caught up with my work as a Marketing Associate (lol boasting!). Bear with me if I can't update my blog that often.

I shall share with you since you are curious with my job lol. Simply check out on these few products and do grab them at your nearest Cold Storage, trust me it's the best shower gel you can ever use; Imperial Leather Foamburst, and Original Source!

Every now and then, I will try to post some quick and easy recipe, and by that, I meant a no-brainer recipe that is easy to follow. Preparing healthy foods need not necessarily be difficult and take much of your time. If you are always busy, then "Eat-Clean Recipe In A Minute" shall make your life in kitchen much simpler.

Have you ever tried googling for easy snacks recipes to make something to munch on while doin' your work? Look no further, here is a recipe in a minute that I am going to share which is completely clean and natural!

Can you believe it, you only require 2 main ingredients to make these delicious cookies, and you can add in whatever you like to the cookie dough. Ready for the recipe, here it is!

Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe bananas, mashed (the more ripe the more sweeter!)
• 1 cup rolled oats flour (or 1/2 cup oat flour and 1/3 cup rolled oats for more texture and less chewy)
• Optional toppings: Chopped nuts (almond, cashew, macadamia, peanuts), unsweetened cocoa powder, raw cocoa nibs, unsweetened chocolate chips, raisins etc. 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.
2. In large bowl combined mashed banana with oats until smooth. Add in 1/2 cup of your favorite add-ins; I used raw cocoa nibs and pure vanilla powder.
3. On a baking sheet (or greased tray), drop dough by large tablespoons onto cookie sheet; flatten a bit with a rubber spatula. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until cookies are set. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. 
4. Cookies can be keep in a covered container for a few days, or they can be frozen and reheated. 

And there you have it, my easy "go-to" cookie recipe! It usually takes me only 20 minutes to make these cookies, including the baking time. Did I mention that if you do not own an oven, you can simply use your toaster oven to bake this, just make sure you keep a look out, lest you want to have burnt cookies for breakfast. :p

Now, I think I need to get this straight, sometimes clean-eating food may taste different than as "normal" processed food, it may even taste bad for some of you. If you have never eaten this way before it may take some practice and some time to get 100% "clean". Let your taste buds go through an adjustment period; give yourself time - I promise you, your body will LOVE you and you will reap the long term benefits!

Much love, stay healthy! 

Eat-Clean Recipe :: Incredible Hulk Pancakes

Hi guys, 

are you equally intrigued by the post title? Good.

I have said countless times that Eating-Clean is never boring, it's never about eating the plain ol' tasteless chicken boobies or steamed broccoli, no! 

Research has shown that when you make the effort to prepare your meals, you are less likely to eat more as you tend to appreciate the effort. Gotcha just kidding! It's actually my own theory, which is super helpful. I actually appreciate the meal, taking time to savour the food, and eating it slowly in order to taste its full flavour and to enjoy it properly. 

[Tips: (1) Make the effort to prepare your meal, and (2) Eat slowly.]

Yes, it is healthy, and no, it does not contain any food coloring. Go as natural as possible! It's unbelievable how Spinach can give such a vibrant color, and good thing is there is no way you can taste the spinach. So, this recipe works best for people who just hate greens, trust me, it's a sneaky way to get the fibre from 'em.

So sharing with you my most favorite recipe, hope you enjoy it like I did!

Recipe

(Servings: 1)

Ingredients: 

• 1/3 cup rolled oats flour
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 stick stevia 
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 15 g skimmed milk powder (or oat flour if no milk powder)
• 1 whole egg + 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce/ pumpkin puree/ mashed banana
• Handful of baby spinach or 2 stalks of Chinese spinach
• Optional: few mint leaves

Directions: 

1. Blend the spinach first, then mix in all the ingredients until a smooth batter is formed.

2. Preheat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, pour the batter. Cook for about a minute till golden brown, flip over and cook for about 30 seconds.

3. For chocolate sauce: 

          - Mix 1.5 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tbsp soy/ almond/ skimmed milk and stevia to taste.

          - Store in fridge, serves best when cold

4. For white coconut sauce: 

          - Mix 1/3 cup unsweetened soy/ almond/ skimmed milk, 1/8 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, 1/4 cup               fat free cottage cheese, and honey to taste

          - Store in fridge, serves best when cold

Tips:

(3) All ingredients are easily available at Cold Storage, Singapore. [I am not sure whether these products are available in Jakarta, but try to get the closest similar ingredients if possible.]
(4) Make your own oat flour just by blending or grinding rolled oats till a flour-texture is achieved.

(5) Go for unsweetened range of products, and skip those products that contain sugar, chances are it is the infamous corn syrup.

(6) Use non-stick pan to skip the unnecessary oil, or you can use healthy nut oils like Macadamia Nut Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

Perfect recipe for any time of the day, and remember, you can't go wrong with pancakes! ;-)

Enjoy this, and don't forget to credit if you want to share this with your friends. 

Eat clean and stay beautiful! :)

Asian Clean-Eating 101.

As I have mentioned earlier on, it is all about balancing out the two factors of having a healthy lifestyle; (a). Clean-Eating and (b). Daily Exercising. 

Before we start, I would like you to read this great article first, Clean Eating :: Getting Started.

Now that you have got the basic ideas, it's time to get rid of all the processed food in your kitchen! You can either donate them away or just stash it in your cupboard and lock it away. 

Time to say bye-bye to 'em!

Once you have done so, head over to your new Clean Grocery List by Blogilates!

Clean-eating is simple, and never about depriving yourself of certain food groups. Unlike Atkins diet, all food groups are equally important. Try to get the basic idea from the Clean-Eating Pyramid, it's basically about eating natural food. I can't emphasise enough on the word, NATURAL. 

*If you managed to stay true to this point, I applaud you. However, if you've mentioned, "Life is short, and you only live once", I would reckon that you can either don't bother giving it a try, or well at least give it a shot! (lol, talk about irony) 

Again, it's not an easy choice to begin with, a little goes a long way, so start with baby steps. The next time you want to snack on potato chips, think twice, and go for healthier option like fruits or nuts (in moderation). Let your body takes time to change slowly, not drastically. Let me tell you this, once you have the mindset of wanting to be healthier, your body would unlikely crave for processed food. It may takes time and effort, but at the same time, it trains your self-discipline, and motivate you even further. 

The start of my eating-clean journey wasn't an easy one, there were many times I have fallen into temptations. But I prove myself to be even stronger by not giving up easily and continuing the journey instead. And I can proudly say that it has been 1 year and counting since I last touched any fast food, that's simply because my body doesn't crave for it. 

Ok, guess the basic is starting to bore you, I would share bits and pieces as we go along. I am pretty excited to share some healthy clean-eating recipes with you on my next posts. 

Stay tune for it guys! :-)

The Beginning :: My Eat Clean Story

I am equally stoked to finally be able to share some information and thoughts, hopefully to inspire others at the end of the day! Many times, I am often asked what I eat or what workouts I do that have helped me shed all those pounds, so here it goes, hope it will help you discover the joys of eating clean as well!

When I first adopted this new healthy lifestyle regime in 2012, I got to admit that my primary concern was losing weight. Here's my story...

Exactly a year ago or so, vividly remembering the date as 16 Dec 2012, I was tipping the scale at 80 kg. Having that to be my wake up call, I decided to go for a change, wanting not only to look good on the outside, but also to feel good inside out. 

It wasn't easy as I learnt that there's no shortcut in shedding those pounds. I first started off by going for Muay Thai training religiously and by that I meant, going 5-6 times a week, 1-1.5 hours each, for 9 months. And not only that, I also revamped my food diet, from high protein diet, to low carbs, and finally, to clean-eating. And with that, my weight dropped by a whopping 13 kg or so.

Starting Weight: 74 kg

Last picture (May 2013): 58 kg

However, my weight started to plateau, constantly going up and down by a kg or two, that got me frustrated. So, I decided to drop Muay Thai training as I listened to my body needs, knowing it had enough of cardio. (Yes, Muay Thai training is a form of cardio training). 

I started hitting the gym then, taking up different classes which was still cardio, while doing research on resistance training (or weight lifting). At the same time, I started to eat clean which I would share more about it on the next post.

Current Weight: 55 kg

So yeah, this is new me now! With clean eating in place and routinely hitting the gym, well what can I say, definitely feelin' much stronger and better than ever. And right now, I chose to focus on building lean muscle and be healthy inside out, rather than losing weight. :-)

So, here's some cookie to take, it's all about exercising and eating clean without any disgusting diet pills and all. And really, you can definitely enjoy the journey! 

I would be more than happy to share some clean eating recipe, as well as healthy tips on this blog. Of course, you are more than welcome to drop off some comments below. 

Alternatively, you can follow me on Instagram, @meifiesaid, for some of the clean eating recipes that I have already posted. 

Here's a toast to the new you, the beginning of new life journey, as well as my new blog! ;-)