Many friends keep asking me why I pay so much attention to buying organic. They are skeptical about the benefits of avoiding chemicals in our food, considering that we live in an industrial country with massive environmental pollution and many external factors that negatively influence our health. According to some people, it certainly won't matter if my apple is organic or not, when severe environmental pollution causes lethal diseases, disabilities and deaths of millions of people worldwide. So why does it matter where we get our food from and what it actually contains? Over the ...
Slow Cooked Oriental Vegetable Stew
One of the best kitchen tools I ever invested in was a slow cooker. Ever since I tried slow cooked Bolognese sauce with homemade pasta two years ago, I knew that someday a slow cooker would be mine. Now, what is the difference to a usual pot? As the name already reveals, a slow cooker cooks on very low temperature for multiple hours – ergo very slowly. This helps to preserve nutrients and vitamins. It has been shown that cooking on high heat destroys vitamins and nutrients in some foods because it changes their chemical composition. Moreover, a slow cooker is time and cost saving. ...
Why I Love Superfoods
You may have realized that I have a crush on superfoods. They are a common ingredient in my smoothies, juices, breakfast bowls and even some of my savory dishes. For all of you who wonder what it is that makes them so special, I've written this post and hope to bring you an understanding of why I love superfoods. What are superfoods? The first time I ever came across superfoods was during my travels in Australia a few years ago. Down under the term superfoods seems to have appeared much earlier than in Germany. Goji berries, maca powder and quinoa radiated from supermarket shelves and ...
Creamy Chocolate Banana Smoothie
If you happen to be a sweet tooth like me then you will love this delicious chocolate banana smoothie recipe. It's full of goodness and chocolaty taste. You can use it as a post workout drink as the bananas will replenish your carb reserves and thus fuel your training effect. They also contain a lot of potassium, which is good for your cells, your heart and your overall recovery. To keep my protein intake balanced, I add some protein powder in the form of lean protein with no substitutes or artificial flavors. Pumpkin seed protein or hemp seed protein are great plant based protein sources. ...
Rainbow Breakfast
On a lazy Sunday morning a little while ago, I was wondering how to spice up my breakfast with some leftover vegetables, eggs and a bit of cheese. A classic omelette or scrambled eggs just didn't appear very exciting, so I got creative and came up with an amazingly delicious recipe for my Rainbow Breakfast, which has become a regular breakfast dish in our house. Let me tell you a little more about eggs, as there is a lot of false data going on out there, which unsettles a lot of people. Eggs have had a rather bad reputation mainly because it was assumed that high cholesterol leads to ...
Detox Juice with Beetroot
Ever since buying my own juicer a year ago, I have become a huge freshly pressed juice lover! I fancy them all - green, red, orange or yellow, but during my last year's visit to Serbia's capital Belgrade, I tried this delicious red beetroot juice and stumbled upon my number one juice! Back home, I was keen on trying it out myself and creating a recipe for this bright red drink full of vitamins. Beetroots is a healthy vegetable that is sadly often overlooked, despite its high amount of nutrients, one of which is betaine. Our body requires a lot of betaine, which stimulates our liver and ...
Raw Cacao Protein Balls
When it comes to healthy eating, finding tasty alternatives for sweets and treats is one of the biggest challenges. I am totally addicted to chocolate but I try to limit the intake of unhealthy desserts as much as possible. The best way to satisfy your cravings for heavy, sugar loaded chocolate bars is to create your own healthy sweets. Inspired by my mum's vegan chocolate balls, I wanted to find a healthy version of these and get a healthy snack, that satisfies my desire for chocolate. With different nuts, seeds, dried fruits and cacao being a constant staple in my kitchen, I basically ...
The Power of Matcha
When I had my first matcha green tea, my sister prepared it right before we headed off to take an exam at university. She claimed it was a very healthy tea that would give us a great energy boost and enhance our ability to focus. Clearly, two very important prerequisites when writing an exam. My sister was the one to know! Back then, she used to work in a cute little teashop in Freiburg, Southern Germany. It was not one of these big chains, but a very unique and original shop, whose owner was a smart and inspiring woman who was very passionate about tea, its origins and ...
My Favorite Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is an awesome food I first tried during my travels in Australia. My host mom served it to me in a salad with lots of herbs, tomatoes and spices and it really made my taste buds dance. From this experience, I created a delicious recipe for a Quinoa salad that I could honestly eat each and every day. Coming from the South of America, where it has been a crucial staple food for centuries, Quinoa is one of the highest plant-based sources of protein. It contains nine essential amino acids as well as magnesium, manganese (an anti-oxidant), and plenty of vitamins. It is an incredibly ...
How to Change your Habits from Bad to Healthy Eating
I won’t lie – changing your diet and attitude towards food is not easy. Discipline, determination and a genuine wish to do so are imperative for true change. But I can assure you that the process of changing your habits will get easier from day to day and that it will be well worth the effort! Fortunately, there has been a massive shift in society towards a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, especially in mid Europe. For instance, vegan diets have left behind their underdog image and attracted many people to live a plant-based, natural diet, while many health food and ...