Healthy Vegan Recipe - Banana Bread

I am not a vegan but I am seriously thinking of becoming a vegetarian. However, from time to time I suffer from iron-deficiency anemia that's why I am still studying healthy eating and trying vegetarian/vegan recipes.

Banana Bread

Everybody loves bananas in our family so we always have banana bunches at home. I love using ripe bananas in my morning smoothies and pancakes. Bananas can also be used as egg substitutes in vegan recipes. However, all the banana bread recipes didn't turn out successful with me until I tried this one.

Banana Bread - Vegan Recipe

This banana chocolate bread recipe is super simple, the bread turns out soft and fluffy and the house smells incredible.

Ingredients (part 1):

4 small ripe bananas
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of sugar 
1 teaspoon of vanilla powder

Banana Bread Recipe

Mash the bananas with a fork and add the above ingredients.

Ingredients (part 2):

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

0,5 teaspoon of Baking Powder

a pinch of salt

Banana Bread Recipe

Mix the above ingredients in your bowl, pour your batter in a pan with a parchment paper ( this is a must)  and bake in a preheated oven for almost 40 minutes or until the toothpick comes out dry.

Optional Ingredients

chocolate chips/ coconut flakes/ chopped walnuts

Banana Chocolate Bread

Let me know when you try this recipe and tag me on Instagram @my_blog_coffee_and_camera

You can find all my Recipes here

January 4 - My Favorite "Healthy" Recipe - Arugula salad

Day 4 - Share your favorite "Healthy" recipe (write your own or share one with an explanation of why you love it.

It was in the summer of 2018 that I kicked off my Healthy Eating journey and made some essential healthy habits in my lifestyle. 
Since then I have replaced white sugar with brown sugar or honey, white flour with oat or whole wheat flour, cow milk with almond milk. 
Quinoa, buckwheat, and lentils in soups or in salads have been on regular rotation on our family menu. 
I have tried numerous healthy recipes and discovered that Healthy can also be Tasty:)

My favorite healthy recipe that I want to share today is - Arugula Salad. I just adore the peppery taste of these green leaves which are also known as rocket or rocca leaves. 

Similar to other greens such as spinach or kale, arugula has lots of health benefits. It helps to prevent heart diseases, boosts the immune system and aids in weight management.

This salad is super simple, super light and needs the minimum of time (especially if you buy the greens washed).

Ingredients

arugula leaves (washed and drained)

fresh mushrooms (sliced)

cherry tomatoes

pomegranate seeds

walnuts (soaked in water to be more tender)

kiwi  or  mango  or pomelo pieces 

parmesan cheese (optional)

Sauce 

ketchup

mayonnaise

mustard

lemon juice

Another Sauce Option 

Balsamic Vinaigrette

olive oil

lemon juice

black pepper

Just place all the ingredients on the bowl and serve immediately. 

This salad is best eaten fresh on the same day.

Enjoy.

For more on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle and lose weight, read  How to Lose Weight and Maintain it after Losing 

This post was inspired by the January Mind, Body and Writing Challenge brought by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

Decemeber 18 - Savory Recipe - Russian Soup Borscht

Day 18 - Create a recipe on your favorite holiday savory food

Borscht is not something you put on the holiday table for your guests. This is rather a comfort dish for cold holiday days to enjoy with your family around a table. 

It's both nutritious and healthy and so appetizing with its ruby color that all the family will enjoy eating it.

Russian Soup Borscht(meatless version)

There are numerous versions of Russian/Ukranian borscht recipe and it is traditionally made with beef but I like the vegan version more and usually make it without meat.

My kids absolutely love it so it is on a regular rotation at our house.

Ingredients:

. 3 medium beets (peeled and grated)

. 2 medium carrots (peeled and grated)

. 1 medium cabbage (finely chopped)

. 2 medium potatoes (cut into bite-size pieces)

. 1 onion (finely chopped)

. white vinegar

. tomato paste (3 tbsp)

. parsley (chopped)

. vegetable oil

. salt to taste

. bay leaves for additional flavoring

Directions

In a large saucepan heat the chopped onions with some vegetable oil until golden color.

Add the chopped cabbage and saute it with some water until tender. 

Add the grated carrots and the beets and saute by constantly stirring or shaking the saucepan with the lid closed.

Once tender, add the rest of the water or the broth.

Add the chopped potatoes, the tomato paste, the vinegar, the bay leaves and the salt. 

Bring to a boil then cover and simmer until ready. 

Turn off the heat and add some chopped parsley or dill.

Season it with a tablespoon of sour cream when serving.

Enjoy

If you make this recipe, just let me know in the comments below by sharing with a link. I would like to check on your photos.

This post was inspired by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog and her 31-Day Blog Challenge.

December 2 - How to lose weight and maintain it after losing

Weight loss and maintenance

I used to be an active kid full of energy and with great appetite, spending all my spare time playing outside. But once I became a teenager and stopped playing active games, I started gaining weight. I was never obese but always had 5- 7 extra kilos that made me self-conscious and I always struggled with that extra weight starving myself every summer but the extra kilos always came back by winter:)

But this summer was different. 

So, how I reached my ideal weight and maintained it after losing it

1.  I joined a Facebook Group "Lose Weight by Eating Healthily". 

The daily informative posts, recipes, and even competitions really motivated me. And I finally realized that it's not about losing weight. I want to eat healthily for a healthy body and skin and hair, to have more energy, to avoid mood swings and so more. 
This changed all my mindset.

2. I changed my eating habits.

I replaced white sugar with brown unrefined sugar, dates and honey, cow milk with plant-based milk, potatoes with sweet potatoes, white bread with oat or wholewheat bread and finally, I started taking my morning coffee only after breakfast.

3. I tried new recipes

I started following vegan and healthy eating accounts on Instagram, tried new recipes, enjoyed taking photos and posting them on Instagram too. Gradually my feed became nothing but a healthy eating album.

4. I started exercising

After losing a few kilos I started a Plank challenge with the  Facebook group members and was really amazed at the results. I also found some amazing home workout exercises on YouTube. My favorite is the channel BowFlex that has some awesome exercises.

N.B. I still have cheat days and weeks without exercising but what I know is that a healthy lifestyle is permanent while cheat days are temporary.