Oh gosh! There’s so much catching up to do! I’ve been back in Florida for a couple of weeks, but I have some things that I want to share with you from before I even left for Toronto. So get ready!
- And hold on tight
Let’s see… how have I been enjoying the summer’s endless heat?
- By making water a more refreshing beverage.
Slicing up lemons, limes, cucumbers, and a handful of mint leaves, and letting it all sit for a couple hours in a jug of water is all it takes.
- One of my mom’s friends gave us mangoes from her backyard!
You can tell how delicious these were just by looking at them.
- I’ve also been making smoothies.
I made this particular one with Greek yogurt, honey, almond milk, peaches, and cinnamon.
- Taste testing… not quite there yet.
- Passed the test.
- Yowza that was good!
- I’ve also been loving strawberries in the mix.
- Sadly, coconut butter is too shy to mix and mingle.
- Of course I’ve been keeping up with my weekly batch of raw vegan treats.
I’ve recently made Averie’s No-Bake Coconut and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites and Kelsey’s Cocoa Coconut Energy Balls. Both should be under your bookmarks if they aren’t already.
- I’m serious.
- This may not be a typical cool summer meal.
I sautéed some yellow squash, crumbled tofu, and diced sweet potato with Bragg’s flavorful Organic Seasoning. Drizzle some coconut butter, and I sealed the deal. By the way that sprinkle has 24 herbs and spices that add lots of flavor. Even if I don’t know what to cook I just use some of this and I instantly have a tasty dish. Thanks to my old roommate introducing me to this it’s now one of my secret weapons.
- Taken out by the poolside while the weather was hopefully cooling down (not by much).
- With a nice cold glass of refreshing water.
- Ahh yes… the morning is another part of the day I can enjoy outside without melting into a puddle of sweat…
- And drool.
- I’ve also made up a recipe recently.
Can you guess what it is? Himalayan Zucchini Bread! This is an eclectic loaf of zucchini bread inspired by the Eastern world and 101 Cookbook’s Special Zucchini Bread. Check it.
Himalayan Zucchini Bread
Makes 1 loaf
Ingredients
3/4 cup almonds, chopped
2 1/2 tbl poppy seeds or even chia seeds
2 tsp lemon zest
4 peanut ginger chews, finely chopped
1/4 cup goji berries
3 tbl shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar
1 large egg, or egg replacer
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 zucchinis, grated
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour mix
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tbl curry powder
*Don’t be daunted by the long ingredient list*
2. In a bowl combine the almonds, poppy seeds, lemon zest, shredded coconut, goji berries, and ginger. Set aside.
- Each ingredient is special in this recipe
- That’s not all.
- Wolfberries, also known as goji berries.
- And somehow by the time this loaf was done baking I had flown to Asia and back.
So now that I’ve shared this recipe with you, here are some tips to go along with it. I soaked the almonds beforehand to add to the bread’s dense bite. I also thought of the recipes I’ve made where zucchini and almonds held hands in the most delicious way. I love coming up with kitchen experiments, being inspired by places I want to travel to and let my mind go.
- Check it out!
Now take a bite into a slice of this and you’ve got a spiced and moist bread, with some crunch and the most unique flavor.
- Enjoy it for breakfast with coconut butter.
Recently, I’ve been letting a bag of green tea steep in a glass of cold water overnight.
- And beautiful fresh mission figs, medjool dates, bee pollen, and honey over some Greek yogurt.
- I hope you all have a relaxing weekend…
- Or one packed with adventures!
I miss you!!!
“..and drool…” – totally!
The bread looks amazing. I mean, I’ve never seen a recipe full of such nutritious ingredients!
I love how you drizzle coconut butter on everything. I personally realized that Artisana is better for that than home-made; still, I’d like to save money by making my own, lol!
such beautiful beautiful zucchini bread! wow, that thing is a work of art =) love all your pictures and food as always. summertime smoothies are sooo good =)
I am so intrigued by the Himalayan zucchini bread recipe!
And your summer fruit concoctions look mouth-watering. I am so envious that you can get local mangoes where you live!!
I need to start making a list while I read your posts so that by the time I’m done reading, I remember all the things I want to comment on.
1.) Brill idea with the water. I don’t know why I’ve always left it to hotel lobbies to provide cucumber water to the world. Haha! Such an easy thing to make!
2.) How does Greek yogurt and almond milk taste in a smoothie together? I usually don’t enjoy almond milk, and prefer a richer medium for anything that requires a liquid, but now I’m intrigued by the yogurt addition! You give me the greatest ideas.
3.) Are there benefits to steeping green tea in cold water for a longer duration of time? Please fill me in! I’m interested now. Do you keep the glass in the fridge over night?
I just adore you. you SCREAM class and joy!!! so beautiful! and i love that recipe- your food looks BALLER! especially those smoothies. smoothies are so perfect for summer, i love your combinations! love you girl!
Hmmm… I may have to try that zucchini bread when I get back, it looks like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing! I’m loving all the curries over here but I’m also starting to seriously miss my kitchen…and my oatmeal.
Yummy eats! Especially the bread! So good, friend!
I’m not sure which smoothie I am more fond of- even though the color of the strawberries is so enticing, the flavour combos you have in the first one sounds so scrumptious- greek yogurt, cinn, peaches!!
Himalayan Zucchini Bread- WOWZA! that’s a major must have!
xoxo <3
I really like the idea of steeping a green tea bag in a glass of cold water. Good one!
Oh, figs, how I love them. I have yet to have a fig this season. THIS MUST BE REMEDIED.
Those little coconut bites look delicious! I love that you made water look mouth watering — putting some things in your water just makes it look so much prettier!
Thanks for your comment and for finding your way over to my new blog
That zucchini bread looks absolutely AMAZING!!
…and nothing wrong with a cute backpack- though if you do find your way to NYC you have to be careful with them on trains