Can't go wrong with salmon and avocado

I spotted the new Coles magazine on the weekend, flicked through and saw the most amazing meal: mushed up avocado presented in a perfect circular shape with bits of flaked salmon on top, yum!!
Stipe and I improvised a little, adding half of a whole piece of salmon as a sider.
Red chilli featured within the avocado mixture, and despite its size, geez can those things pack some punch! A great addition, alongside some lemon, coriander and Dijon.
A perfect weeknight meal with no regrets.

Salads are a girl's best friend

To me, nothing is more guilt-free and satisfying as a well put together salad. I don't make or order these because I'm "one of those girls", I actually truly enjoy them and love that I can get up straight after and feel refreshed, not hanging onto my belly, apologetically.
Stipe and I have experimented with a few new ingredients over the years and most of them have been a success! Like quinoa, Falafel balls and using beetroot in different ways.
I purchased some lemon pepper seeds from Tasmania earlier this year and found they have been an amazing addition to the topping. Oh, Chia seeds are a great accompaniment too for those who don't know what to do with them! Just throw them in!
My advice, have some fun with it and keep those flavours well balanced. Who would have thought Moroccan spiced chicken, quinoa, beetroot, cucumber, pear and feta would go well, but it sure did!

Our bible: Crunch Time Cookbook

Michelle Bridges' Crunch Time Cookbook has been our bible since the moment we brought it home. There is absolutely no guilt and only pure satisfaction after any of these meals, and they are so easy to make!! Complete bonus!

Michelle puts it all into perspective and I love the fact that she lets you know exactly how many calories to add when you add that extra bun to that hamburger.

Take a look at the Shepherd's Pie below, the topping is made out of cauliflower florets and the inside a concoction of lentils, mushroom, carrot and diced tomato. No potato or mince whatsoever!
We made this recipe one night when two friends came over and I was mortified when Georgina told me she didn't usually like cauliflower, but absolutely loved the combination with this! Phew! We also made them the ricotta pears (down below) for dessert. They must have loved them because Sarah was soon asking for the recipes (with a reminder the next day - now that's a good sign!)
I bought her the book and she's been sending me her own pictures and favourites ever since.

Eggplant lasagne with no lasagne sheets was another newbie and one that filled the tummy well, as well as the two stir-fry's. Michelle says the Pad Thai is a treat for "a Sunday night" but at 368 calories per serve, it's definitely a far-cry from the one you would order at your local Thai sit-in.

Penguin have posted some amazing videos of Michelle cooking up some of the great recipes in the book. She is definitely an inspiration to us!

Shepherd's Pie - with no potato!

Eggplant lasagne - with no lasagna sheets.

Amazing pear, ricotta, sultana and cinnamon dessert...

...straight out of the oven.

Pad Thai

Beans on toast with egg

Home-made sushi

When I first met Stipe he had never tried sushi (gasp!). I decided the first time had to be a bought one from one of my favourite sushi places Purple Peanuts (brown rice lobster is my absolute favourite!), but he insisted that we make our own and give it a go that way. Double gulp as I have never made it before either.

Our first attempt at rolling the seaweed was quite disastrous. YouTube then came to the rescue and we watched exactly how it was done and where we had gone wrong. Needless to say, it was a success! Stipe didn't mind it and I was quite proud that we had given it a go and tried quite a few different varieties too.

Experimenting with Filo Pastry

 I've been dying to make my own Spanakopita since the first time I tried it! Mum has always made it with Puff Pastry, but it's just not the same when it is made with Filo, so we gave it a go!

It's quite fiddly and a lot easier when there are two pairs of hands. The trick is to ensure the Filo remains moist. It still didn't turn out quite as good as some of those amazing Greek treats that I've been tempted with in the past, but it wasn't too bad for a first effort!

A bit of sweet chilli sauce would have been great too. I did just find an amazing blog on how to make your own sugar-free version: http://www.fussyfoodie.co.uk/foodie/2075/sweet-chilli-sauce/
Will have to incorporate that next time!

Morning cleanse

Apple, grapefruit, beetroot, ginger, carrot and celery.
Coffee who?

Sweet poison

Before you open that packet, box or lid, take a good read of that ingredient list. You might be in for a surprise.
David Gillespie illustrates in his book Sweet Poison Quit Plan, the different types of sugar and how they are doing us a lot more harm than good. Thankfully there are a few safe types out there!
Since reading the book, my whole ideology on sugar has taken a whole new approach. I am extremely conscious of those high numbers and have cut out many of those unsafe foods, such as honey, ice cream (my old favourite, gulp!), yoghurt, milk, cereals, muesli bars, even my own birthday cake!

Easy, healthy dinner

Tonight's menu: eggplant, turkey mince and spring onion with a little brown rice. Add a few Asian sauces such as soy and fish, some pepper and you're good to go!

Note: turkey mince is a great substitute for chicken mince (which you can also use), it has a great flavour, feels lighter and has more protein.

Lentil as Anything

I had only been to the Abbotsford and Footscray Lentil as Anything and was pleasantly surprised, feeling quite fortunate and humble.
This photo was taken at the St Kilda site, where we were in for a shock...a menu!! It was extraordinary and so on par with the company philosophy.
I had the amazing beetroot curry, yum!!

Dreamy detox

Improvised slightly, adding beetroot and carrot, was very nice!!

Nothing like a Falafel wrap...

...to fill the lunch void.