VEGGIE CREATIONS

While skimming through the pages of a website dealing with food one page caught my eye: "20 genius ways to use veggies you never would have thought of". Sounds interesting? I picked out the five best to show you ;)

 

Here we go:

 

1.       Cauliflower cake

  Have you ever thought of roasting a whole cauliflower? And cutting
  into pieces like it´s a cake!? I have seen this for the first time
  of my life :D It looks really funny!

 

 

 

2.  The next creation is called “Dish 'Em Up”. I love preparing

various dips. For example for dinner, to eat them with some bread

and vegetables. Sometimes the dip tastes incredibly good so that

I want to lick the bowl :D Do you know that feeling?

Well, now you can eat the the bowl, too.

 

 

 

 

3.   Bean sprouts. Similar to spaghetti? I don´t think so… Anyway, they have fewer carbs and calories – one positive aspect ;D

 

 

4.       Low-Carb Pizza

  Can you make out the pizza crust? Normal pizza dough!?
  This pizza recipe is unlike any you’ve had before: The crust is
  made from grated cauliflower. Yummy!

 

 

 

 

5.  How cute looks that!? A mini-vegetable burger. It´s

made with slices of zucchini, tomatoes, pepper and probably mini

chicken. I think, I´m gonna try this out ;)

 

GOING TO THE GYM

It´s now time to talk about sport. It definitely helps to forget my problems for a while and get away from it all. When I have to study a lot for university, sport is a good opportunity to take a break and to think of something else. Afterwards, I can return to studying with a lot more concentration and energy.

We all know that sport is good for body and soul. So, I don´t have to tell you something new! ;) But there is one question: which sport should I choose? Which one is suitable for me?

I personally prefer going to the gym. There are always other people when I go there and exercise. I love being around people who want to improve their health and get fit. We share one common interest. That´s somehow great!

While exercising I listen to music. It´s a fantastic motivator! Try it out! ;) I listen to my favourite songs and move to the beat. I also include new ones, otherwise I would get bored after some time…

Another reason why I have decided to visit the gym: I can exercise there in every weather condition. It´s kind of a year-round exercise. I just make the decision to do some sports, no matter if it is raining outside or not. Earlier, I only used to walk outside when the weather was good. It shouldn´t depend on the weather!

Another positive aspect the advice of the personal trainers. Whenever I have a question I can ask them. They are right there to help when I am trying to use a specific piece of equipment for the first time. It´s always great to hear some expert advice! :D

 

What do you think about going to the gym?

 

 

 

2 RECIPES WITH ONLY 2 INGREDIENTS

A recipe with only two ingredients? Impossible!? Maybe that sounds strange in your ears, but it´s definitely possible! ;)

There are days I am really busy and don´t have time to pick some food in the grocery store at all. While looking for something to eat at home, I realise that there is rarely something left. There are just a few vegetables and bananas… You immediately think that nobody can get full of this.

Oh yes, you definitely can get full of a meal made out of just two ingredients! ;)

 

Let´s go on:

 

Banana oatmeal cookies:

Admittedly, the first recipe is not really a meal. It´s rather something sweet to eat during the day. These delicious cookies are really healthy because there is no sugar added at all.

 

You need approximately 2 bananas and one cup porridge oats. That should serve about 16 cookies. Simply mash the bananas in a bowl and mix it with the oats.

 

 

Then using a spoon, scoop out small portions. Put these portions onto a baking sheet. Preparation done!

Now bake the cookies for 15 minutes in the oven (180°C). When they are light brown on the bottom you can take them out. Yummy!

 

 

 

Sun-dried tomato potato wedges:

Next recipe consists of potatoes and tomato pesto. But you can easily use any other pesto. I always buy sun-dried tomato pesto because it´s my favourite one ;)

 

So, you need a few potatoes (it depends on how much you want to eat :D) and one package store-bought pesto.

Next step: divide the potatoes into wedges so that they can be eaten easily afterwards. Now you can either mix the wedges with the pesto or use the pesto as a dip later on. 

 

Then place on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes (230°C). When taking them out, they should be crisp. Enjoy your meal!

PEELING AN ORANGE WRONG

Admittedly, I am allergic to oranges and all other kinds of citrus fruits. I have told you about that in my second blog entry. So, maybe you remember.. Otherwise you know it now ;)

Yesterday I was preparing some fruit salad for my family. I added apple, banana, mango, pear, pineapple, berries and of course orange as my sisters love eating that. I always leave them. Better said: I have to leave them!

I was somehow not able to peel an orange. What a shame.. :D

That´s how it looked:

(I found that in the web)

 

The result of my attempt to peel an orange: an orange caterpillar! I think it´s the best way to describe it.. ;D What do you think? 

Simply lop off the ends, then make a small incision in the side. At least, carefully open to reveal the orange segments. Here it is – the orange caterpillar! Ready to be eaten! (but definitely not by me)

NEW YEAR´S EVE

 

 

How was your New Year´s Eve? How did you celebrate the end of the year? It´s kind of a nostalgic feeling to welcome the New Year and reflect what happened in 2014. There were so many events taking place in the past 12 months. Positive things as well as negative ones ;) While my friends and I counted down for the closing seconds of the old year, I thought about those things. 2014 was definitely an eventful year. I passed the school leaving examination in June and took the driving licence. Afterwards I made a trip to the Netherlands for three weeks and finally went on beach holiday in Croatia with my family. In the end of September I moved to Graz in order to study Transcultural Communication. So, there were a lot of significant events taking place…

I love counting down to New Year’s Day in the last minute before the last night of the year ends and the New Year begins. I am excited to see what´s going to happen in 2015! ;)

 

NO MORE NEW YEAR´S RESOLUTIONS

 

 

New Year’s Eve. It´s the time when we reflect on the previous year. As we do so, we resolve to do better this next year. Unfortunately, most resolutions are repetitive, year after year. We’re going to lose those extra pounds, exercise more, drink less, be more patient, spend more time with family and friends. What do you think of these types of resolutions? Are they similar to yours? I would say, that they could probably be the same :D … Every year people make those resolutions in order to start kind of a “new life”. It´s always the same in the end: They do not stick to their rules and they live the life they had before. But why?

 

I have thought about this question…

New Year is a new beginning. Many of us want to start as a slimmer and healthier new person. We want to have a better life and make goals to achieve. Mostly, just after a few weeks later we realize that this has no happy ending. Soon, we return to our old comfortable lives. Are we just too lazy? Or are these goals unrealistic and impossible to achieve? How can we solve this problem!!???

 

My answer: No more resolutions!
Why making resolutions when we don´t stick to them? There is no point in doing so… If you want to start the year 2015 as a slimmer and healthier person, you should learn how to eat mindfully first. Do not go on another diet. Do not plan to never smoke again. Smoke one or two cigarettes less, then three or four and so on. Our mind needs preparation or practice of the new eating skills and habits. It´s nearly impossible to change everything from one day to another.

 

I personally let it be different this year. I close the notepad of snap resolutions. There are no start dates and no promises at all! ;) The year 2015 should bring a focus on the process, not on the result!

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

 

 

It´s Christmas time! I really love this time. There is always something I can´t even explain but it warms my soul. There is something in the air, something magic… the warmth of Christmas. Don´t you think? ;) Maybe the excitement in the eyes of many people, watching it snow or listening to Christmas songs all month makes it kind of a special time of the year. People even seem to be nicer and friendlier…

Now, I am going to write about how I celebrate Christmas. Since I can remember I celebrate this day with my family – including my parents and my two sisters. There are only just us 5. It´s always kind of a homelike and special atmosphere. I love sitting around the tree and talking with them. In this moments everything is right with the world.

Before doing so, we prepare Christmas dinner. When we cook the whole family plays a part. My younger sister and I help to grate cheese or to cut vegetables. My older sister lays the table and my father mixes the dressing for the salad. Mum gets up early to prepare part of the main course so that we don´t need so much time afterwards – we are all hungry then! And want to eat as soon as possible! :D Even for the things I didn´t mention, we work as a team. It´s always so much fun! I´m smiling right now just remembering the laughter…

When I was younger, all the kids in my age were sure that the "Christkind" is the one that decorates the tree and brings presents. On Christmas Eve it comes and leaves them under the tree. How hilarious… :D I never believed in the "Christkind". My parents never told me that and I think I will do the same with my children. Why telling a "lie"?! Getting presents is always exciting, no matter if a golden-haired baby with wings or parents bring them ;)

I really love Christmas! This is such a great time of the year when we come together as a family and celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.