Thai Green- Garlic Chili

Thai Green Garlic Chili Sauce

I N G R E D I E N T

20 green chili
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/3 rice vinegar + water (half-half)

I N S T R U C T I O N

1. Cut off the ends of the chili. If you love spicy and out for a challenge then don't remove the seeds but if you just want the flavor then I advice you to remove half of the chili seeds, keeping the rest.
2. Crust garlic and remove the peels but do not chop them.
3. Put chili and garlic into a blender and blend.
4. Add the liquid gradually. If you don't like your sauce to be too liquid then add less of the liquid mixture.
5. Add in the sugar and blend for one last time.

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Rainbow Quinoa Recipe || VEGAN

Rainbow Quinoa Recipe || VEGAN

I N G R E D I E N T S

2 cups quinoa
1 cup chickpeas
1 large ear of corn
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper

10 baby carrots
1 tbsp sesame oil
5 garlic cloves
1 tsp vegan oyster sauce
pinch of salt
pinch of white pepper

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Cook the quinoa and boil chickpeas if they are bought raw.
2. Chop all the veggies. Finely chop the garlic while dicing the others to equal sizes.
3. On a hot wok, add some oil and place in the garlic.
4. Stir until the garlic is a little pale brown.
5. Add the rest of the veggies in.
7. Stir until all cooked.
8. Add in the seasonings and the vegan oyster sauce.
9. In a large bowl, mix them with the quinoa and chickpeas
10. Serve with chili flakes or Sriracha if you are a spicy person like me !

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Super Spicy Roasted Chickpeas (Vegan and Oil-free)

Super Spicy Roasted Chickpeas 

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 can of Chickpeas
1 tbsp Paprika
1 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tbsp Cumin

I N S T R U C T I O N

1. Boil your chickpeas if you did not get the can ones but if you did get the canned chickpeas then rinse and dry them.
2. Pre-heat the over to 200 degrees
3. Once dried, set aside. In a bowl, mix all the spices together.
4. Place the chickpeas in the bowl and mix around, coating them with the spices.
5. Spread them evenly on a tray lined with parchment paper
6. Place them in the oven for around 20 minutes on 400 degrees.
7. Check on them once a while and stir them to allow them to crisp up evenly.
8. After another 10 minutes or so, take out the chickpeas and set them to cool.
9. Once cooled, it's ready to serve !

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VEGAN Korean Japchae

 

VEGAN Korean Japchae

I N G R E D I E N T

1 pack of sweet potato noodles (glass noodles)
Spinach
Carrot
Mushroom
Onion
Tamari sauce
Sesame oil
Garlic
Sesame seed (optional)
Korean spicy paste (Optional)

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Saute Onion with tamari sauce
2. Saute spinach with chopped garlic
3. Saute mushroom with tamari sauce
4. Saute carrot
5. Boil noodles in hot water. Once done, drain it and put on a plate. Add some sesame oil to the noodles. This will allow the noodles to not stick together.
6. Add the rest of the ingredient on the side.
7. Sprinkle sesame seeds and top it with some Korean spicy paste. (optional)

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Dragon Fruit Smoothie

Dragon Fruit Smoothie 

I N G R E D I E N T

1 large dragon fruit (red)
3 kiwi
coconut water

I N S T R U C T I O N

1. Dice the dragon fruit and freeze them overnight
2. Add the chopped kiwis into the blender first then add the frozen dragon fruit
3. Add coconut water to help with the blending.
4. Top with kiwis, berries, granola, oats, and even chocolate. The options are limitless !

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Mango Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

 Mango Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

The crust is hands down my favorite part of the bar. It's so thick, buttery, and baked on the outside. Heaven !

The jam doesn't really taste like mango but more like a tropical jam. There has a hint of pineapple taste to it too.

I got to say, my favorite fig bar from Nature's Bakery has to be the original fig, strawberry, apple cinnamon, and this one.

Nature’s Bakery Mango Fig Bars

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Mango Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Mango Puree, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Turmeric and Annatto Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Raspberry Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

Raspberry Fig Bar

There's a very settle berry flavor, but I'm not sure if it's raspberry. The jam doesn't have a very strong flavor to it, it's very soft and dissolves in your mouth so you have to pay attention to really taste the flavor.

I love the crust. It's thick. It's dark brown which mean it's baked so well. It's just heavenly.

Nature’s Bakery Raspberry Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Raspberry Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Glycerin, Modified Food Starch, Raspberries, Apple Powder, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Strawberry Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

 Strawberry Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

This bar has a thinner crust than the usual ones and a very rich strawberry jam filling. Brings me all the way back to childhood.

Weirdly, it tasted like donuts with perfectly baked crust, filled with jam.

You know what? I would love to add peanut butter on top of it. oh mann what have I got myself into?
It was divine !

Nature’s Bakery Strawberry Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Strawberry Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Strawberry Puree, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Natural Flavors, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Peach Apricot Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

Peach Apricot Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

I don't know how they make the crust so buttery good. It is very thick, just how I like it. If you are one of those people who loves the crust of a pie more than the filling, than this is the bomb. It reminds me of baked pie crust. Yummmm !

I don't really taste anything in the jam. It just tastes like jam but not apricot or peaches. The jam wasn't overpoweringly sweet which I love and it has the perfect balance between crust and jam. 

Unlike the others, the jam doesn't taste too acidic. Instead it's very smooth and soft. I have no idea those two could be used to describe taste but it does work for this!

Overall, it was very pleasant and I would definitely have more !

Nature’s Bakery Peach Apricot Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients:

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Apricot Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Peaches, Apricots, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Turmeric and Annatto Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Sweet Potato Rice // VEGAN

Sweet Potato Rice // VEGAN 

I N G R E D I E N T S

2 cups of uncooked rice (best use brown rice)

3 medium sweet potato

Mushroom (as many or as little as you like)

Green beans (as many or as little as you like)

4 small red onions (usually found in china markets)
1 ear of medium corn

5-6 garlic cloves

Vegan oyster sauce

Low sodium soy sauce

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. To prepare: rinse the rice and chop the sweet potato into cubes. Also, cut the mushrooms into halves and the green beans into about 1-1/2 inch long.

2. On a hot pan, add in your garlic and onion, with some water or oil if you like. Mix them around till they are soft and a little brown.

3. Add in the mushroom into your pan and stir them around. Then, add in the green beans and corn.

4. Next, add in the chopped sweet potato.

5. After stirring the around for a few minutes, add in the sauces and season it with salt and pepper.

6. Stir them around (there's a lot of stirring with this dish) and leave them to cook for around 5-6 minutes or until the green beans and mushroom are cooked.

7. Lastly, add in the uncooked rice. Mix the whole thing together.

8. Pour everything into a rice cooker and add some water, just like as if you were to cook rice. (Pour a lot of water, basically until you see water about an inch above the rice)

9. Let the rice cooker do the magic and once it starts ringing your name, it's ready to eat!

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Fast Metabolism Food RX

Fast Metabolism Food RX

The title and the summary of the book sounded promising but the information in the book was quite foggy. I was able to gather some information from the book but it's like when people give you too many information and you don't know if it's beneficial or just an information that is freely there to absorb.

They have meal plans listed in the book but because I study a lot on food nutrition and have a history of eating disorder, the meal plans sounded like a diet to me and it is in a way for people to get too obsessed with it and can get too concern with what they are eating. The foods that they promote are all generally healthy and whole foods so it's obvious that can speed up metabolism.

After reading this book, I contacted my personal dietitian and she said, "There is no definite food that can raise the metabolism, even though it is believed that by taking food low in calories can help in weight management. However, the most effective way of increasing metabolism rate is by doing more exercise e.g brisk walk, swimming, jogging and etc."

My dietitian works in a grand hospital and has published multiple books as well as being on talk shows and radios to speak on losing weight, building a strong relationship with healthy and body, as well as helping ED patients.

 I would say, it's okay to read the book and gather information that you want but it is also important to understand that everyone is unique and  different in their own ways. There is no single label to anyone or anything so why should your diets be too? It is okay to follow the book temporary to kindda experiment with yourself but in order to get a long term result and to treat eating as a lifestyle, not a diet, then it's important to know what works best for you; what feels good, and what your body really needs. Sometimes all I need is nuts and chips, sometimes, all I crave is rice and vegetables, and other times, I eat anything and everything on the table as long as it's vegan and it's what my mind and body crave.

Your body knows best and it is smarter than us. No specific meal plan or diet can sum up your whole life food diary. Even if you find what your body wants today, you cannot expect your body to want that food or that specific meal plan every single day. Our body changes 24/7 so discovering what "diet" suits you is a waste of time, instead, eat when you are hungry, stop when you are not, eat mindfully and eat what your body and MIND craves (even if it is not the healthiest thing in the world, sometimes you have to treat your soul) Eat whole foods produces majority of the time and allow yourself to indulge. Balance is the key. 

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Blueberry Fig Bar- Nature Bakery

 Blueberry Fig Bar- Nature Bakery

Perfectly firm crust with juicy jam filling. 

You know when you were a kid you used to hate the strawberry cough medicine but would drink the whole bottle of the blueberry grape ones? Yeah, the jam kind of reminded me of that. I know that sounds weird but I am a weird kid.

The crust is thicker than the others that I've tried. The jam hits you with a strong acid taste then leaves with a very soft aftertaste of blueberry. It was alright but not my favorite so far.

Nature’s Bakery Blueberry Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients:

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Blueberry Paste (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Naturally Milled Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Blueberries, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Original Fig bar- Natural Bakery

 Original Fig Bar- Natural Bakery

Simple yet delicious. I totally am addicted to these bars now. They are so delicious and so simple. Like how is something like this can be healthy and vegan? The crust is so buttery good and the jam inside is sweet and juicy. Seriously guys.

This bar has a harder, grainier crust but totally in a good way. It's firmer and not too crumbly.

It also has a light and smooth jam in the middle. Usually, I'll make a pretty big feast for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with complex ingredients and cooking stuff but for the weekend, I just want to have a chill and relax so this got my dinner sorted! Nothing satisfies me more than these bars. Simple, easy, and quick. (and obviously I had like 3 package of these.)

It's very original and I like that a lot.

Ingredients
Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Rolled Oats, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Oat Fiber, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	2%
Iron	6%

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Apple Cinnamon Fig Bar- Nature Bakery

Apple Cinnamon Fig Bar- Nature Bakery

Apple pie in Spring? Sign me up !

It has a strong apple flavor, unbelievably buttery crust, and a hint of cinnamon to balance out the sweetness.

Remember after thanksgiving when you have left over apple pie on the counter the next day and you're too lazy to reheat them so you just eat them at room temperature? Well, this tasted just like it. It was beautiful. Not the exact adjective to describe food but it's heaven in your mouth guys. It brings back Fall and November. It brings back the warm chilly breeze of leaves falling onto the ground and the sound of crunched leaves.

The crust was a little buttery in this one. I don't know why, I'm pretty sure they are the same ingredients as the rest. (It's vegan so it's not actual butter btw.)

The jam inside was on POINT! not too sweet, not too cinnamon-ie. Just right. It has the texture of apple pie with a semi hard crust and a juicy filling. Oh man! Guy! you have to try !

About Nature’s Bakery Apple Cinnamon Fig Bars:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients
Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Apple Paste (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Naturally Milled Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Evaporated Apples, Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Cinnamon, Locust Bean Gum, Annatto Extract and Turmeric for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

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Lemon Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

Lemon Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery 

Imagine: Chewy and soft on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.

I am a big sucker for lemon. Lemon cake, lemon bar, lemon juice, lemon cookies, lemon muffin, lemon icing, anything lemon is my thing. My childhood dream job was to sell lemonades. (no joke, I even had my stall designed perfectly)

This bar has the perfect cookie-like crust. It is soft and chewy, hugging a big dollop of jam inside. The jam doesn't have a strong lemon flavor, so those of you who are afraid of lemon flavored bars, don't worry. Bit does have a very settle and exciting lemon flavor after taste.

The citrus and the acid cuts off the sweetness off so it's not overly sweet. The flavors are very strong and bold.

This bar will satisfy your late night sweet tooth, your hangry at 3 in the afternoon, and even a quick pick my up in the morning when you run out of time to prepare breakfast.

Ingredients
Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Lemon Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Turmeric for Color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

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