Browsing Tag

superfood

Breakfast, Crushes + Product Reviews

Breakfast just got better. superfood start to the day

1st July 2017

The Yoga Kitchen is crushing hard on Health-Connections new breakfast porridge and cereal range.

There is the delightful Chocolate Chia Oats. Its is simple and quick to prepare, but also delicious and perfect for winter when a warm breakfast is what we yearn for. The ingredients list is pretty perfect, with only 3 ingredients listed; Oats, Cacoa Nibs & Chia Seeds, all of the highest quality and crammed full of real nutrients. There is no sugar, and no preservatives or additives of any kind, this is clean eating of the highest order.

Then for those who are high on Low Carb food options, the Flax & Coconut Porridge is a match made in heaven. Its high in Omega 3 and fibre, two food stuffs that we can all do with more often. I really like the flavour and texture, it’s nutty and although it is a porridge it still has enough texture. To prepare one simply has to add either hot water, or milk/ or any milk substitute that you prefer. I also added the Flax & Coconut porridge to a banana & peanut butter smoothie with a pinch of cinnamon and some almond milk and it worked really well.

But my very best out of these three (difficult as it was) is the Sprouted Buckwheat Cereal, buckwheat has become one of my favourite things this year, it is high in protein and has a delicious flavour. This cereal works really well with a dash of almond or coconut/ rice milk and has sliced almonds and goji berries added into the mix. It has lots of crunch and keeps you going until lunch.

Now I guess there is no excuse not to have a super healthy start to the day.

In dedication to your best health,

Marlien x

 

 

Lunch + Dinner Recipes, Salad

Roasted Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Salad Roasted vegetable salad

21st February 2017

The last couple of Summer months remain and there is still time to indulge in salads packed with nutrients, fiber and enzymes.

Two of my favourite vegetables to roast are Jewel (orange fleshed) sweet potatoes and cauliflower. In fact since I discovered roasted cauliflower I am convinced it is the only way to cook them.

Serves 2

Ingredients 

  • 2 medium Jewel sweet potatoes
  • 1 small head of cauliflower
  • 1 small head of butter lettuce, or a small bag of mixed baby leaves
  • 1 disc of feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup of sundried onions
  • Pink salt
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • Dusting of ground cinnamon
  • Cold pressed olive oil
  • Fresh lemon juice/ or balsamic reduction

Simply scrub the sweet potatoes well and leaving the skin on slice them lenghtways, approximately 1cm thick.

Then slice the cauliflower in 1 cm thick pieces and roast tgem at 180 degrees celcius in some coconut oil for 40 minutes.

I seasoned my veg with pink salt, ground cumin and a smidgen of ground cinnamon, but you can add turmeric and ground coriander too.

Then simply arrange them prettily over some mixed leaves, sprinkle over some sun-dried onions (available ready-made from most supermarkets) and a bit of crumbled feta cheese.

Dress with olive oil and balsamic reduction.

Seriously delicious and easy.

With love and in dedication to your best health,

Marlien

Lunch + Dinner Recipes

Buddha Bowl Crushes & a Sexy Turmeric Dressing Sexy Yoga Kitchen Lunch Box Ideas

7th December 2016

I am currently finding Buddha Bowls so sexy. Their ingredients can be prepared over a lazy Sunday, stored in the fridge and then leisurely packed into your lunch box….sure to cause immense envy among co-workers and friends.

Here are a few Buddha Bowl staples in my kitchen that will hopefully inspire you to start creating your own.

  • Hummus
  • Roasted Veggies (red onions, red pepper, fennel, cubed or wedges of butternut, courgettes, roasted cauliflower etc)
  • Micro- leaves (much higher in nutrients and so gorgeous too)
  • Thai Slaw (Shred some red & white cabbage & carrots ahead, dressing them just before serving)
  • Cultured Veggies (no fridge is complete with out some sauerkraut or kimchi)
  • Corn Chips (Natures Choice does a lovely NON GMO version)
  • Quinoa (Cook ahead and freeze in small portions)
  • Mexican Black Bean Salad
  • Boiled Eggs (the ultimate & complete retro packed lunch-food)
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Medallions (I use the Jewel variety and leave the skin on – slicing them into 6mm thick medallions)
  • Avocados (obviously)

Preparing some super-food sauces ahead like my Turmeric & Tahini dressing makes throwing these Buddha Bowls together even more effortless:

Turmeric & Tahini Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons of tahini paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of pink salt
  • 1 clove of garlic, freshly crushed
  • 50 ml of filtered water

Add all the above to a jar, seal tightly with it’s lid and simply shake until you have smooth emulsion. You end up with this gorgeous bright yellow (happy colour) creamy dressing that has huge health benefits.

 Happy trowing pre-prepping and showing off your fabulous bowls.

As always, with love, and in dedication to your best health,

Marlien xx

Wellness + Nutrition

The Yoga Kitchen Cookbook 100 Superfood Recipes for Radiant Health

15th August 2016

If you are looking for easy superfood recipes, then head on over to my Product’s page from where you can purchase my cookbook ‘The Yoga Kitchen – 100 Easy Superfood Recipes’.

Below is a summery of the the content you can look forward to:

  • 100 Superfood Recipes
  •  highlighted nutritional benefits of each recipe’s main ingredients
  • a general reboot plan (please note this plan can be personalized to be more effective, visit my Product’s page for more details)
  • the A – Z of vitamins & minerals: a comprehensive guide to where you can find your nutrients in real, wholefoods
  • some traditional preserving and healthful cooking methods

All recipes are simple to prepare, made with wholefood ingredients and family friendly.

The’The Yoga Kitchen’ is also available from your local Exclusive Books or Bargain Books.

Happy cooking

 

Wellness + Nutrition

re-treat yourself blissfull yoga retreat & country getaway

5th June 2016

Recently I had some time to reflect on what what makes going away on a retreat necessary for each and everyone of us; most importantly the time away from home, our daily chores and responsibilities is what allows us to discover a fresh perspective, and gives us renewed purpose when returning home.

Perhaps we also discover there is a self-love that manifests by taking the time to reconnect and nurture body, mind and soul, after all how can we love and nurture, if we fail to do so for ourselves.

yoga retreat

There are many other fabulous and fun reasons to retreat, here are a few more:

  • Delicious yet healthy meals to reboot your body
  • A Rain spa treatment, that will release tension and leave you feeling pampered, I recently indulged in the “Sole” reflexology Rain Treatment and literally floated home…, and as part of the treatment I was also sent home with a lovely Rain sleep balm, sheer indulgence.
  • Yin & Vinyasa Yoga to open the heart body and mind. The Yin classes are in the evening for deep relaxation and release, and the Vinyasa classes are in the morning to energize and open the body. All levels are welcome.
  • Beautiful nature walks, relaxing by the fire with a good book or simply enjoying some quiet time soaking up the magnificent views
  • chatting and connecting with like minded souls
  • relaxing in the sauna or Jacuzzi ….
  • & so much more…but I guess you should come see for yourself. Re-treat yourself.

Testimonial

The 2 day Yoga retreat couldn’t have been better.  Marlien has a way of making you feel as if you have known her for years, and welcoming you into the space so quickly and easily.  The accommodation was perfect and Swellendam did its absolute to provide us with great weather for the entire weekend – magic sunrises and sunsets for being so close to winter.
 
What a treat to be able to start the morning so gracefully with delicious green energy smoothies and a wonderful and easeful yoga session, followed by yummy breakfast on the patio overlooking the eco swimming pool onto the magnificent Swellendam mountains.  The repeat of Yoga followed by dinner some while later closes off the day perfectly.
 
Marlien has done so much research into food, healthy eating and her planning and approach to food and eating is so simple, elegant and nourishing.  Every meal was a delight, and the shared notes and discussion on food, eating and a healthy diet was much appreciated and very informative.  With so much to do in the town and surrounding area, there was little time left over to just do nothing.
 
I left the weekend feeling lighter, easier and very peaceful and grateful to have met Marlien.  The full body massage at Rain at the end of the weekend was just so good – and a great way to close off the weekend. Karen Wilkins