Perfected Baked Veggie Patties

 

Hey Fab Foodies!

Earlier this week I FINALLY created the perfect baked vegan patties.

I honestly can’t tell you how many attempts I have had to try and get the texture and flavour spot on.

I have tried countless recipes for vegan burger/patties but being the perfectionist that I am, I had a vision in my head and I needed to get it right.

It needs to be baked, not fried.

It was essential that the outside was crisp and the inside a little soft, but not like a hummus texture.

It couldn’t crumble if I were to eat it with my fingers straight from the fridge (let’s not pretend we don’t all do this).

And it had to be gluten and preferably oil free.

So I’m so happy that I have perfected the recipe!

Ingredients

½ cup split red lentils

½ a medium sweet potato

1/3 frozen sweet baby peas (Blanched)

¼ cup grated carrot

3 Tbsp finely diced red onion

1 garlic clove minced

1 Tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley

6 Tbsp chickpea flour

1/4 tsp (heaped) cumin

¼ tsp (heaped) cinnamon

¼ tsp dried basil

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Decent pinch of pink Himalayan salt

 

Instructions:
(makes 9 patties)

1. Soak lentils for at least 8 hours
2. Boil lentils until cooked (roughly 15 mins). Then drain.
3. Pre heat oven to 180 degree’s Celsius
4. Peel and dice the sweet potato. Boil it until cooked then drain
5. In a large mixing bowl, roughly mash the sweet potato with a fork
6. Add the lentils into the bowl and combine with the potato
7. Using a paper towel, dry the grated carrot and blanched peas as much as possible to remove excess moisture
8. Mix in the rest of the ingredients, except the chickpea flour
9. 2 Tbsp at a time mix in the chickpea flour
10. Mould mixture into small palm size patties and place onto baking paper
11. Place in oven until golden brown ( roughly 15-20 mins)

 

I served this with my usual delicious salad which had the lot; Avo, beetroot, zucchini, snow peas, red capsicum and sauerkraut.

I’m so glad I didn’t settle until I got the recipe just right!

I’m sure you will love them as much as I do.

Question: Are you a perfectionist when it comes to cooking?

What’s one dish that took you a while to perfect?

 

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa x

 

Serenity in My Sunday: Believe in Your Dreams

 

Hey lovelies!

Sorry about the late post. I wrote this last night, as my Sunday resulted in today’s topic.

Yesterday (Sunday) I was talking to a friend about why she gave up her favourite sport.
She was ridiculously good at it and had the potential to go very far in the sport, but most importantly, she thoroughly enjoyed it.

When she told me why she stopped all of a sudden, I was shocked but I could relate. I think many of us can.

Her dad told her that it would be very unlikely to be able to make a career out of her sport or ever compete in the Olympics. I assume this was to protect her from feeling disappointed and hurt if she never reached her goal.

Every time she would say her dream out loud, she was told not to get her hopes up because thousands of people want the same dream; therefore her dream was “unrealistic”.

As a result of being constantly told her dream was unrealistic or that she wasn’t good enough, she started to believe it.

Every time she would think of her goal, she got into the habit of telling herself she wasn’t good enough and that she was stupid to even think of it.

Self hate began and in no time she quit the one thing she loved and formed an eating disorder and depression.

It doesn’t surprise me, but it will always amaze me how words can create such a powerful effect on people’s lives and wellbeing.

Negative words are always louder than positive words, and when coming from someone you love and respect, nothing could be louder.

Perhaps her dad believed he was doing the right thing by trying to protect her from rejection if she never reached her goal.

Forty+ years ago opportunities to fulfil your dreams weren’t impossible but they didn’t have the resources that we have today, so maybe he was saying what he was always told.

One thing he didn’t know was that by saying these comments and by not believing and encouraging her to fulfil her dreams, this caused her a great amount of damage.

After a lot of ground work and having to remove the negative people out of her life, she just started to take up the sport again.

I could not be more proud of her. She is such a strong person physically and mentally.

What I realised is that it is so damn important to never call any goal unrealistic.

We have so many resources these days to be able to do anything we desire if we are willing to put in the hard work and dedication.

Always encourage and support others’ dreams but most importantly believe in your own dreams.

A child or friend may change their mind on their dream job every week, and instead of rolling your eyes or saying it’s very unlikely to get that job, encourage them so they can be the best they can be.

Fight for what you want and who you want to become.

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa

Black is the New Green Smoothie

Hi lovelies,

Hope you are all well!

I went to an Ethical Nutrient seminar last night for work, so I’m a little tired today but it was worth it.

I will be talking about this in a future post as I want to let you in on some new research but also the marketingbehind health products.

Today I’ll share with you my favourite “green” smoothie blend.

Green smoothies have really taken off, and for good reason!

They boost your daily green intake, they are high in fiber, packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals from the raw ingredients. And lets also not forget how damn amazing they taste!

So Green Smoothies pretty much rock, but why limit yourself to green when you can have black!

Ingredients
(serves 1)

Large handful of Baby Spinach leaves

1 small frozen Banana (or half large)

½ cup of frozen Blueberries

1 tsp Spirulina

5 drops of Stevia (or to taste)

20ml Aloe Vera juice

400ml chilled water

So it doesn’t look all that pretty but this smoothie is one seriously tasty superfood blend.

I drink this every single day.

It is a perfect after workout drink as it is high in protein from the Spirulina. Plus you get all the vitamins and minerals to keep you fighting fit.

Drinking a green Black smoothie daily is non-negotiable for me.

Because I don’t drink coffee or have any caffeine this gives me loads of energy and doesn’t give me the slump within 30 mins like coffee does.

Do you currently drink green smoothies?

 

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa x

Finding Serenity in My Sunday: The List

Each year I write a list of all of the new experiences I’ve had throughout the year.

It shows how far I have come and also how much I have learnt throughout the year. It’s a great exercise to do for keeping motivated and inspired.

I also find that if I write a negative experience that I’ve had on my list, I begin to view it from a different angle. I now see it as an experience that I have learnt from rather than just a kick in the guts.

I usually do this at the end of each year, but I thought I would start it now and also list some of the things I still want to experience before the year ends.

Looking over my list, I feel quite proud of myself (I’ve also learnt to allow myself to feel proud!)

I have changed my lifestyle, fell in love with green smoothies, saw chia seeds swell before my eyes and spoke to a group of professionals, to give them an insight into living with an eating disorder so they can then help others.

I learnt how to say no and to put my health first.

I have gained a variety of knowledge about the environment, alternative health and the connection between your food and your mind.

My experience list for 2012 is currently 3 pages long. No experience is too small or is less important than the others. I find the little experiences can often count the most. For example, people may think that trying a green smoothie isn’t a big deal, but it has changed my life. I simply cannot go a day without one! (Salivating just by mentioning them)

Here is a picture of the start of my list below:

Some of the things I still want to experience are:

• Trying more foods for the first time (Including brussel sprouts)
• Trying different types of yoga
• Writing a guest post on someone’s blog
• Having a guest on my blog
• Growing a herb garden

In my first post I explained that my chosen word for the year is “authentic “and this is the year that I would work on being my authentic self.

Most of my experiences this year have felt very authentic to me. I have experienced a spiritual connection with myself and a better understanding on spirituality.

I have a better relationship with my body and now listen and attend to its needs – a sense of respect that I now feel towards myself.

My authentic self may not be doing boozy Sunday sessions, but she is sitting in the warm with The China Study in one hand, green smoothie in the other while surrounded by the people she loves most. And that is would what makes her healthy, happy and serene.

Asian Inspired Cos Cups

I have noticed that the only vegan Asian dish I have cooked is sushi. That’s it!
Sad I know, but that is all about to change.

Other than the basic stir-fry, I’m not very familar with vegan Asian meals.

The reason I haven’t cooked many Asian meals is because of the pressure I once put on myself. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and not having the experience with certain techniques and exotic ingredients, I haven’t been confident enough to try making them.

There are many flavoursome salads and cooked meals waiting for me to make, and practice makes perfect so I am going to start veganising popular Asian favourites.

I created this recipe that was inspired from san choy bow.
I used ingredients that I already on hand and would be somewhat similar to the recipe I once used before I was vegan.

I tweaked this dish from the first time I made it and now it’s spot on!

The flavours complement each other beautifully and it only took me 20 mins to make.

This is a perfect entree or as it turned out for me, a main meal. I couldn’t stop at two cups so I had 5 cups for dinner.

Addictive – you have been warned.

 

Ingredients

( Roughly makes 10 cups – serves 2-3 )

150g organic tempeh

1 cup sliced button mushrooms

1/3 red capsicum

5 bok choy stalks

Cos lettuce leaves

2 Tbsp low sodium tamari sauce

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/8 Tsp grated ginger

Directions

1. Peel mushrooms and wash all vegetables
2. Finely cut mushrooms, capsicum and tempeh in small cubes roughly the same size
3. Finely slice bok choy horizontally
4. Place all sliced vegetables and tempeh into a mixing bowl
5. Mix tamari, balsamic vinegar and ginger in a small cup and poor over the vegetables and tempeh
6. Transfer mixture into a non stick fry pan and cook until mushrooms and bok choy and soft
7. Serve into cos lettuce leaves

I’d love to know your favourite Asian dish!

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa x

Finding Serenity in My Sundays: Cut The Chaos

For a while now I have noticed that keeping busy seems like a competition.

I am constantly hearing people saying how busy they are with work, their kids, social events, study, and correspondence. The list goes on.

Everyone seems to be trying to be superwoman or superman and if you had any time to think what you want to do for the day, your life would sound boring to others or you would feel a hint of guilt by having time to yourself.

Recently an ex (randomly) messaged me asking what I am up to. Although I have well and truly moved on from our relationship , I didn’t want to tell him that it was 11am on Saturday morning and I was still in my flannelette PJ’s. I was reading a book with the intention of doing nothing other than possibly getting dressed by 2pm. The chances of that happening before 2pm were pretty slim.

I replied by saying that I was just rushing to the gym. And after that I had work to do before catching up with a friend.

I felt guilty by sending that text so I thought I’d better live up to my word. Okay, so I didn’t exactly rush to the gym. It was more like going 4 km per hour and my work was replying to emails and keeping up to date with unread blog posts. Catching up with friends meant spending quality time with my dog while drinking hot cacao.

In my defense, it was not my fault by sending a text that wasn’t exactly spot on. I’m a busy woman after all.

He replied but saying a similar thing, but sounding a little busier than I was. He probably had a friend that could talk back to him. He also didn’t need a gym membership with all the running around from one task to another on his calendar. Then again he could have been just lying about being busy (Jerk).

That night, I was pretty satisfied with the day I had, though I would have also been just as satisfied by having a day to finally relax and read in my sexy flanno’s.

Since I have started my wellness journey I still haven’t had a full day where I can stay in my PJ’s and just have some down time.

I have forgotten how to do one thing at a time. I can’t remember the last time I watched TV without doing something else. I can’t sit down and watch a movie without having my Ipad to research a topic or talk on the phone without cleaning my room, writing an email or painting my nails.

Since when did we forget how to relax?

Since when have we become masters of multi-multitasking?

And since when did running around doing 30 things in one day become inspirational?

I remember feeling annoyed many times over some men not being able to do two things at once.

How can they not listen whilst writing a report or sending a text?

How can they not cook a vegetable lasagna while watching the Olympics and talk at the same time?

Even though it will never made sense to me as to why some men can’t seem to get the hang of multitasking, it makes a perfect sense as to why some men don’t multitask.

By having too many things going on at once, creates an overwhelming mess in our heads.

We aren’t focussing and enjoying each moment in our precious lives.

We aren’t giving our loved ones our undivided attention that they deserve.

We aren’t living a life that serves us and makes us the best we can be. Instead we become overwhelmed with commitments that leave us stressed, angry and leaves our bodies toxic.

From being in the beauty industry, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard women feel guilty by having a facial or even having someone wax their brows.

They explain everything that they should be doing instead of being at the salon. By the time are out the door, they haven’t had a chance to relax and enjoy their well deserved break because they feel guilty to be there in the first place!

Is this how we want to live our lives? Is this how we want the next generation of children to live their lives?

I know I want to have a clear mind to do a job correctly.

I want to have a healthy mind, free of guilt and chaos.

I want to enjoy every moment I have with my loved ones, and I also want to treat my body and mind with respect through nourishing it with healthy foods and having down time to relax and revive.

I am now going to be mindful of what I am doing. I will focus and enjoy doing one thing at a time and allow myself to read in my PJ’s at 11am without feeling guilty.

I encourage you to do the same this week.

Start by prioritizing at least 30 minutes into your week to have some down time. Sit and talk on the phone without being on the computer and even having one internet tab on at a time.

This is one commitment that will serve and benefit your mind, body and life.

Do you currently allocate time to relax each week or better yet each day?

Be kind to yourselves,

Lisa x

Red Lentil & Sweet Potato “Hummus”

The unimaginable happened last week: I ran out of chickpeas.

It felt unnatural, traumatic and impossible for me not have any chickpeas in the house, but it’s true.

I imagine most vegans feel the same way.  Chickpeas are a delicious staple in vegan diet and are extremely versatile.

In a way, I’m glad I ran out of them because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have made this wickedly creamy “hummus”.

I started to look for recipes online but most comments on red lentil hummus were “bland” or “I prefer the original” so I decided to make my own recipe. The most popular comments of all were in regard to calling it a hummus.

Traditional hummus is made from chickpeas, ground sesame seeds, lemon and olive oil. The majority of people know this.

Although substituting red lentils for chickpeas doesn’t technically classify it as a hummus, I still refer to this recipe as a “hummus” because it automatically informs people of the basic ingredients used in the dip.

The reaction towards the naming issue amazed me. I understand that people love their hummus; I too think extremely highly of the chickpea but for it to cause an issue other than having none left, took me by surprise.

I searched for other similar comments towards food substitutes such as, banana nice-cream and cauliflower “rice” but no one questioned their name. Just the hummus.

I think the lesson here is to never underestimate the passion one has for hummus, and secondly if you substitute chickpeas for another bean or lentil always use inverted comers when calling it a hummus. When saying it out loud perhaps curl to figures in the air (like Doctor Evil in Austin Powers) to save you from this dilemma. Or better still just say this thing is freaking awesome; because it is.

Ingredients

½ cup red lentils (uncooked)

1 small sweet potato (or half a large)

3Tb tahini

1 garlic clove

¼ cup lemon juice

Pinch of salt (I used Pink Himalayan)

Directions

1. Soak lentils for 6-8 hours.
2. Rinse the split peas and transfer into a saucepan with the chopped sweet potato and boil for 15-20 mins.
3. Once cooked, drain and give it a quick rinse with cold water.
4. While the split peas and potato are still warm transfer them into the food processor and give it a quick mix. It’s important to do this while they are warm because this how you get a creamy consistency.
5. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until it is completely mixed through.
   You may need to add some water or olive oil if you want a thinner consistency.
6. Store in an air tight container for 4-5 days.

This “hummus” (please note the inverted comers used) is anything but bland. I also found that using red split peas made it creamier and smoother.

I’m positive you all will love it!

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa x

Finding Serenity in My Sundays: Healthy Mind Program

First off, I want to thank you all for your kind emails and comments about my wellness journey (W.J).

It’s very heart warming to have all of your support.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I feel that it’s time to incorporate the next step of my journey.

I have always been a fan of positive affirmations and have said them for years, though I have never been constant and kept the practice up on a regular basis.

I often promised myself to say daily affirmations. One week after my promise I realised I’ve completely forgotten, didn’t have time or couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I’ve been in this situation many times, but now I feel it’s time to put all of the excuses behind me and follow through!

The reason I didn’t commit to this practice at the start of my W.J. is because focusing on a new eating plan without slipping back is a full time job. Although it may seem easy to some people to include affirmations into their everyday life, it hasn’t been that simple for me.

Although I still feel that fighting my demons is a full time job, I also feel that it’s time to tackle some more.

Saying affirmations in my head isn’t something I struggle with. Saying them in the mirror or out loud or using them within meditation has always been challenging for me.

I have created a program that is fail-proof, so I have no excuse for not continuing with this.

I’m an all or nothing kind of a girl, so my program is deeper than the usual affirmation lessons.

So without further ado, I, Lisa Dunbier, solemnly swear to continue the below program and schedule everyday for a minimum of one month.

I plan to continue on with this program well after the month, but I would like to update you in my W.J.  within a month’s time.

Here we go!

Daily Affirmation Program and Schedule

I will use the same affirmation for the whole day. I will be posting the daily affirmation on Twitter so be sure to follow me (@therawserenity1) so you too can reap the benefits of this wellness practice.

Morning

While standing in front of the mirror, look into your eyes and say the affirmation out loud 3 times.

Mid morning / Lunch

Say the daily affirmation out loud. Repeat 3 times in a row.

Mid afternoon

Say the daily affirmation in your head. Repeat 3 times in a row.

Evening

Set aside a minimum of 5 minutes to close your eyes and clam your mind.

In your head say the affirmation 3 times in a row.

Then visualise that you are looking and standing in front of yourself. Walk over and give yourself a hug.

Stand back and imagine a golden light glowing between your hearts connecting you together.

Fail proof tips:

Set your phone to remind you to say your affirmations’.

If you are at work, this practice will encourage you to take a lunch break and a green smoothie coffee break to say your affirmations.

When saying the affirmations out loud at work between mid morning and lunch, you don’t have to shout them. Go to a quiet area or bathroom and say them there.

I will be starting my program on Monday 6^th August and I hope you can join me. You can start any time and continue for a month from your start date.

As always I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

Be kind to yourself,

Lisa x

Is It Necessary To Tell People Your Vegan?

When I was at the gym earlier this week doing tricep dips, my arms started to shake. I don’t usually shake so I sat up feeling a little defeated. The guy next to me said “You know what you need? Red meat. Loads of protein  to make you stronger”.

I instantly felt annoyed. Not because he didn’t read my mind to know I was vegan, but because of the protein obsession that marketers have created.

I then didn’t know how to react. How soon or necessary is it to tell people about your diet and lifestyle choices?

I ended up explaining to him why red meat is not my thing and that I eat plenty of protein (thank you very much!) via spirulina, nuts, legumes, beans, quiona, oats… the list goes on.

The confusion on his face was worth it, but I did wonder how necessary it is to tell people about the lifestyle choices we make.

Image if I arrived at a date’s house (without knowing him well) to find he has spent hours cooking a lamb roast and for me, only not to be able to eat it.

If I were in that situation should I take Kate Hudson’s advice in How to lose a guy in 10 days? Cry and tell him it’s beautiful but I just can’t eat meat? With soft sobs I would murmur “Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb”.

What if work colleagues were to surprise me with a birthday cake that wasn’t vegan. Surely they would feel disappointed.

When topics are related to nutrition, I find it easy to slip in our dietary choices, but meeting new friends and colleagues, nutrition isn’t something everyone is fascinated with, so it isn’t always talked about.

I did, however, have a work colleague ask me if I’d like some meat balls that she brought in. “I said no thanks, I’m vegan”. I pondered afterwards over if I really needed to say that. Perhaps in those situations I could have just said “No thank you, I don’t eat meat” or even just “No thank you”.

I personally think that it’s important for people to know your diet and lifestyle choices. Not only are our diet and lifestyle choices a big part of who we are, but it also helps others.

I have been in the situation where I have cooked a beautiful cake for a friend’s birthday then found out she was gluten intolerant.

We often eat together and although she never orders any bread or pasta, I didn’t assume she wasn’t eating these foods because she has an intolerance.

My friend said that the subject never came up and didn’t feel the need to tell everyone.

I have to agree with her on this. But it would have saved me the embarrassment of turning up with a gift she couldn’t accept.

I think that it is necessary for people to know your diet and lifestyle choices; it’s a part of who you are and it says so much about you.

The question is: How necessary and soon is it to tell people about your diet and lifestyle choices?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comment box below.