blueberry-blessings:

what miranda kerr does for her body.

(via fitness--bliss)

fitliv:

Everyone, go make roasted chickpeas. Right now.

1 can garbanzo beans + S/P + olive oil + cumin + cayenne pepper

(makes multiple servings)

Then roast @ 450 for 25-30 minutes.

They’re crunchy and filling, and full of protein!

(via timeforme123-deactivated2013013)

CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS

INGREDIENTS 
(Yields 8 patties) 

• Half a large head cauliflower
• 1 carrot, grated
• 2 whole eggs
• ¼ cup flaxseed meal
• ¼ cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup hazelnuts, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp lime juice
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• pinch cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut cauliflower into little florets and add to the bowl of your food processor. Process on pulse until cauliflower has texture of large grains of cracked wheat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
3. Heat a splash of olive oil in a frying pan and add about ¼ cup of the mixture for each fritter.
4. Cook three or four fritters at a time for 2 – 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown, then keep warm while you cook the remaining fritters.
5. Serve warm (I like them cold also) with a few fresh vegetables or a nice green salad.

Gazpacho

Serve with cheese and bread, melon and prosciutto and a chilled rosé or sauvignon blanc. Serves 6-8.

32 ounces or 1 liter tomato juice
4 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, diced, with juices
2 spring onions, white parts thinly sliced, green parts reserved for garnish
1 English cucumber, seeded, cut in 1/4 inch dice
1 sweet red pepper, seeded, cut in 1/4 inch dice
1 small fennel bulb, fronds removed, cut in 1/4 inch dice
1 large carrot, finely diced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, minced
1 large garlic clove, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro (or parsley)

Garnish:
Sliced jalapeños
Cilantro or parsley
Lime wedges

Combine all of the ingredients, except the cilantro in a large bowl. Mix together and taste for seasoning. Refrigerate at least one hour or up to 6 hours. Before serving, stir in the cilantro. Serve ganished with sliced green parts of the spring onions, sliced jalapeños, additional cilantro and lime wedges.

Chickpea Feta Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, rinsed and halved
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine chickpeas, tomatoes, basil and garlic.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and sugar until combined. Pour over chickpeas and toss together. Add feta cheese and toss gently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve cold.

Yield:~5 cups bean salad (~10 servings)

Beluga Lentil Salad

• 1 cup beluga (black) lentils - picked over and rinsed off
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped tomato (i scored some heirlooms at whole foods)
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber (i used an english cuke)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 3 tbsp rinsed capers
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp light agave nectar
• kosher salt + pepper to taste

after picking over lentils for rocks and other foreign debris combine them in a pot with 2 cups of water and turn stove burner onto high. allow water to boil, then turn down to a simmer and cover pot with a lid - tilt the lid slightly to the side so that steam can escape. allow lentils to cook ~20 minutes.  i like under cooking these vs cooking them to the point where they get mushy - i like them to maintain their shape integrity and have a toothyness to them. meanwhile - place tomato, parsley, capers and green onions into a large bowl. once the lentils are cooked pour them (and any remaining water) into a colander allowing excess water to drain off. pour lentils into bowl with tomato, parsley, capers and green onions. gently stir to mix and add in olive oil, agave nectar, red wine vinegar, kosher salt and paper to taste. i typically like to serve this cold - and pop it into the fridge for around 2-3 hours before serving.

i prefer to serve my salad as a cold side dish or served on top of raw kale and lettuce. i’ve even enjoyed them for breakfast with eggs and avocado. like i said previously, lentils are a blank slate - use whatever you have on hand - be creative! go forth and lentil!