Happiness is found in Yellow Food - Three Golden Recipes

By Vanessa

You know it's true, not only does the colour yellow represent happiness and sunshine, it's also reflected in yellow colour food. How? Here are some examples: cheese, potatoes, pasta, bananas, egg omelette, mangoes, custard, lemon and the list can go on!

But to be serious, yellow coloured food and packaging stimulates the brain to release serotonin, that is, the happy hormone. That's why when we see potato fries, we scream "yes I'll get a large size please".

In today's post, another three dishes are shared for your delight and will want you grabbing seconds.

Three Golden Recipes of Happiness

Breakfast

Source:
http://www.lifetasteslikefood.com/2011/08/01/mango-pineapple-banana-orange-smoothie/

1. Sunshine Banana, Mango and Pineapple Smoothie

Let's start the morning happy, healthy and sweet, before we divulge ourselves into wholesome, a little cheesy, heart filling foods in the lunch and dinner recipes.

This smoothie does not only taste great but has the benefit of fat loss due to the rich fiber, high energy without fat from bananas, and the improvement of metabolism and prevention of constipation from mangos and pineapples.

What you will need:

- 1/2 cup of chopped or frozen pineapples

- 1/2 cup of chopped or frozen mangoes

- 3/4 of a banana

-1/3 cup of almond milk

Directions:

- Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend till there is a smooth consistency, it's that simple!

You can also add other ingredients to this smoothie to add extra flavour or texture, here are some ingredients you may want to add -

- Flax seeds    - Lemon    - Crushed Almonds    - Mint leaves

- Greek yogurt or regular yogurt    - Spinach    - Blueberries    - Apples

Source:
http://youandihg.blog.com/2012/12/17/this-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-recipe-is-really-perfect-for-everyone/

Lunch

2. Golden Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Get your taste buds ready because I have the perfect lunch for you, and making those around you want a bite of it!

A nice crispy, grilled and cheesy sandwich that melts in your mouth, filled with cheese, avocado, tomato and ham, what else could you ask for. 

What you will need:

- White or brown bread

- 4 thin slices of avocado (alternative: avocado spread)

- 2 to 3 slices of Roma tomatoes

- 2 slices of ham

- 2 slices of Mozzarella cheese

- Finely grated parmesan

Directions:

1. Butter the outside of the bread and sprinkle parmesan cheese generously on top.

2. Place the bread face down on the frying pan for a minute and remove from stove

3. With parmesan side face of bread face down, add 1 slice of Mozzarella cheese and the avocado on top. 

4. Place 1 slice of ham on top of the avocado, then add the sliced tomatoes.

4. On the second bread, add the other slice of Mozzarella and the other slice of ham. Ham side facing down, close the sandwich.

5. Place sandwich on a greased grill pan on low heat for 2 minutes. Then flip sandwich to the other side. Remove sandwich when cheese has melted and toast is golden brown.

You can also use a sandwich press, frypan or toastie maker.

Source:
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/7555/cheesy+potato+bake

Dinner

3. Potato Macaroni Bake

You are in for a treat, with potato and cheese and double dose of happiness in one dish. Hopefully you don't have to share with many people or wear tight clothes soon, because you will be going for seconds and thirds.

What you will need:

- Shredded mozzarella cheese

- Shredded cheddar Cheese

- 3 Washed Sebago potatoes

- 1/2 Peeled and washed brown onion

- 1/3 pkg of KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

- 2 3/4 cup of milk

- 60g or 2 tblsp of butter

- 1/4 cup of flour

Directions:

1. Cut the brown onions into thin ringlets and slice the Sebago potatoes into thin even pieces, and place aside.

2. Prepare the Macaroni and cheese by following the packet instructions (using 1 cup of milk)

3. Preheat oven to 180°c, then grease the baking dish.

4. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add flour. Stir constantly until bubbly and remove from heat. Add the remaining milk together and stir till combined. Return to heat and cook till sauce boils.

5. Place pieces of Sebago potatoes evenly around the base of the dish (do not use all of the pieces), creating only one layer of potatoes, then add a thin layer of the Macaroni and cheese on top (not the whole bowl). Crack some salt and pepper.

6. Place a thin layer of onions like the potatoes and spoon 1/3 of the sauce. Sprinkle Mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till all ingredients are used in the same order and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

8. Place into oven and bake for 1 hr or until potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden.

* If potatoes are not ready but the top is golden, cover with aluminium foil.

Enjoy these recipes and hopefully it brings you happiness.

"Eat Your Greens!" - Three Green But Yummy Recipes

By Vanessa

Source: http://bwog.com/tag/going-green/

You've all heard that before. That eating your Greens are beneficial for your health and diet.

But it's all true! Eating your greens is great not only for your body but it's also good for your mind. 

Benefits of Greens

1. They are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin A, C and E, which boosts your immune systems and protects you from viruses.
2. Low in calories. This is perfect if you're trying to lose weight and balancing what you eat, as dark leafy greens contain plenty of water and chlorophyll.
3. Contain good carbs. Carbs in green foods are much more complex and provide plenty of fibre to your body, which keeps you fuller for longer and converts less into sugar and fats. That means you'll eat less food but with all the necessary nutrients you need.
4. Helps improve mood swings! Green plant-based food provide sources of magnesium, calcium and iron, which are needed to improve your energy levels, fights headaches and anxiety, and improves your sleep.

Now you know some benefits of greens, here are ways to include them in your diet.

Source: 
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/big-love-december/

Breakfast/Snack

1. 'Wake Me Up' Kale and Apple Juice

Feeling bogged down and heavy from last nights feast? Don't feel like eating breakfast? Try this Kale and Apple juice that will spring you back to life and make you feel prepared for the day.

What you will need:

- 2 cups of Kale, stems removed

- 3 slices of peeled lemon

- 2 large washed apples (red or granny apples) or 4 small apples

- 1 inch peeled fresh ginger

- 1 cup of water*

* If using a blender, you'll need water to make the juice.

Directions:

1. Wash the kale, apples and ginger before making the juice to rid any pesticides or dirt from the fruit and vegetables.
2. Chop and dice the apples to make the juicing process easier for the machine.
3. Use a juicer or a blender*

* Using a juicer: Simply add all the ingredients into a juicer and give it a taste.

If you don't have a juicer, a blender will work just fine, the only difference is the texture. The kale will leave behind pulp, making the juice chunky.

* Using a blender: Quick tip is to add the water before all the ingredients to create a vortex that will help pull in all the ingredients when blending. Also use the pulse option first to chop all the ingredients and slowly increase the speed levels of the blending options.

> Add in the fruits before the greens to prevent the fruit from getting stuck from the pulp

With left over pulp, you are able to drink with the juice, save it for later to eat as a snack or create kale patties. Click here or go to the end of the post to watch how to make left-over pulp veggie patties!

Source:
http://amagpiestale.com/2014/05/18/fig-and-pomegranate-salad/

Lunch
2. Mediterranean Fig and Pomegranate Salad
This isn't just your ordinary bland salad. It's full of juice, sweetness and high sources of anti-oxidant vitamins. Give this a try and you'll never want to go back to boring old Caesar.

What you'll need:
- 2 to 3 Figs
- Your choice of green salad leaves (spinach, rocket, lettuce or watercress)
- Half a pomegranate
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil







Directions:

1. Wash green salad leaves and figs thoroughly with water
2. Cut each figs into 4 to 6 equal pieces
3. In a separate bowl, open up the pomegranate and remove the white membranes
4. Add both the figs and pomegranate on top of the salad greens
5. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar lightly on top of the salad
6. You're done! Enjoy this delicious salad!

You can also add some extra ingredients including walnuts, cottage cheese or olives to this plate to add more flavour. Deliciously healthy and you'll want to go back and make more.

Source:
http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/2015/03/creamy-pesto-alfredo-fettuccine/

Dinner

3. 'Hello Pesto' Creamy Pesto Fettuccine

Make yourself an appetite for some deliciously creamy, cheesy, full of flavour pesto pasta. Scoot over tomato-based fettuccine and hello pesto.

Just looking at that picture makes me want to have pesto right now!

(This recipe is the base of the dish, after the recipe extra ingredients you can add will be listed)

What you will need:

- 400g fettuccine pasta (or any pasta of your choice)

- Basil Pesto sauce

- Alfredo sauce (or learn to make your own from scratch here)

- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In boiling water, cook the fettuccine in a saucepan until tender (follow packet instructions if needed). Once cooked, drain the pasta and keep 1/4 cup liquid.
2. Place the fettuccine in a pan over medium-low heat with the 1/4 cup of liquid.
3. Add the alfredo and pesto sauce together into the pan. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until heated.
4. Dish up your fettuccine into serving place. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Extra ingredients you can add:

 Broccoli,    - Green onions,    - Chicken,    - Asparagus

- Mushrooms,    - Bread to serve with pesto,    - Sun dried tomatoes,    - Prawns

Source:
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/food-cocktails/a6923/matcha-recipes/

Dessert

If you're looking for some delicious green desserts, check out these links below for awesome recipes. What do you mean desserts aren't healthy? But it's 'green', so it must be 'healthy'. 

• Green Tea (Matcha) Desserts
• No Churn Green Pistachio Ice Cream
• Green Tea Crepes

'How To Make Veggie Burger from Juice Pulp!'

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWTq_JLRRXM

HAVE A GOOD THURSDAY & HAPPY EATING!

Too Good to be True Blue!

By Vanessa

Before digging into two yummy recipes here's a fun fact:

Source:
http://frokenskicklig.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/last-minute-diy-easter-eggs-with-red.html

Fun Fact:

Red Cabbage, yes 'red' cabbage, when cooked with heat, releases anthocyanins that causes blue pigments contained in the cabbage to bleed and turning your dish blue. Some chefs use red cabbage as a natural dye as there are naturally blue foods (other than fruits and vegetables).

To keep the cabbage red, add vinegar, lemon juice or anything acidic to maintain its red colour. 

Blue coloured food seems to taste better and is visually appealing. 
Not only are they tasty but blue fruits and vegetables have numerous benefits too. These include:

- Boosting immune system activity

- Fighting inflammation
- Contains anti-ageing properties
- Reduces tumour growth
- Is an appetite suppressant

 No wonder blue foods were good!

Now on to two tasty recipes for you to try

Source:
http://favim.com/image/2109430/

Breakfast
1. Blueberry and Black Raspberry Muesli
Kick start your morning with a quick, easy and super healthy breakfast. 
Blueberries and black raspberries provide the perfect sweetness to start your day with no added sugars and will also help boost your immune system.

What you will need:
- 1/2 a punnet of washed Blueberries 
- 6 washed black raspberries
- Plain muesli of your choice
- 1 1/2 cup of your choice of milk
- 1 1/2 tblspoons of honey

Directions:
1. Simply add the amount of muesli of your liking into a bowl
2. Drizzle the honey on the muesli and give it a nice toss to spread the honey
3. Pour the milk into the bowl and add the blueberries and raspberries on top
4. You're done! That's how simple this breakfast is. You can also add other fruits including bananas or raisins.

Source:
http://cincyshopper.com/raspberry-lemonade-slurpee-recipe/

Snack/Dessert
2. Blasting Blue Slushies
Summer is on its way and this refreshing drink is the ideal way to cool off.
The blasting taste and fizz of blue raspberry, with a hint of lemonade will leave you wanting more.

What you will need:
- 3 cups of crushed ice
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 8 drops of blue food colouring
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of raspberry flavoured extract or blue raspberry kool-aid
- 2 cups of cold lemonade

Directions:
1. Before starting, place lemonade into the freezer for 15-20 minutes
2. Add the lemonade, sugar, food colouring and the flavouring into a blend and blend.
3. Add in the crushed ice and use the pulse option till it has a smooth and slushie consistency
4. Pour into your cups and its ready to serve
To add an extra zing, you can sprinkle blue sugar on top of the slushie, add blue pop rocks or nerds and drizzle some lemon on top. There you have it! A refreshing summer's drink that will keep you, your family and your friends cool.



No lunch or dinner recipes?
As mentioned previously, there are no naturally blue foods (other than fruits and vegetables) however here are some foods that you can add to your dishes to give it some blue/purple colour
- Cook red cabbage without lemon juice or vinegar
- Boil, oven bake or roast blue potatoes/yams, which are deliciously sweet and is an alternative to regular potatoes.
- Cook up some blue cauliflower
- Add some blue cheese

Hope you can add these blues onto your plate and provide you with different and new flavours.

Sources: 

• http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1382920
• http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/fruits-vegetables.shtml#blue
• http://humantouchofchemistry.com/why-does-red-cabbage-change-colour-when-cooked.htm

Roses are Red and so is my Food!

By Vanessa

Did you know the colour red stimulates our appetite?

The colour red is strong to the eye, which triggers emotional and memory responses in the brain. Have a look around in your pantry or when you're out and about, and you will notice the common use of red in labelling. You'll also notice that various restaurants use red on their walls and decoration to make you hungry!

Source: http://www.thekitchn.com/outsmart-food-label-colors-while-you-shop-tips-from-the-kitchn-208689

Here are three fun and tasty red recipes you can try in one day

Source:

http://www.littlesunnykitchen.com/2014/05/strawberry-watermelon-smoothie/

Breakfast

1. Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie

A watermelon and strawberry smoothie is the perfect breakfast to start your day, especially in the warm Spring and Summer weather. It's quick, simple and also healthy.

What you will need:
- 4 cups of diced seedless watermelon
- 2 1/2 cups of strawberries (unstemmed)
- 2 tbsp of lemon or lime juice

Directions:

1. Wash the strawberries to remove any pesticides from the fruit.

2. Add all the ingredients into a blender

3. Pour into a cup and its ready to drink!

To make it even more tastier and that extra zing, you can add your own favourite fruits and ingredients into the mix including bananas, chia seeds, ice cubes (if you'd like a slushie), ginger or mint leaves.

Source:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/17743/salmon+with+tomato+and+lime+salsa

Lunch / Dinner

2. Delicious Salmon with Tomatoes and Red Onion

Salmon is not only delicious but a great source of omega-3, vitamin D and protein. Top it alongside cherry tomatoes and flavoursome red onions, and you have the perfect lunch.

What you will need:

- 2 x 180g salmon

- 1/2 punnet of cherry tomatoes diced

- 1/2 tblsp of sunflower or olive oil

- 1/2 tblsp of lemon or lime juice

- 1/3 of a red onion thinly sliced

- 1/3 red capsicum diced

- Lemon wedges to serve 

Directions:

1. With salmon fillet skin side up, drizzle with sunflower or olive oil.

2. Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper on the skin.

3. Heat a non-stick frying pan to medium-high heat and cook capsicums for 4 minutes still crunchy but warm, or to your preferred liking and remove from pan.

4. Keep pan on medium-heat and add salmon skin side down to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until skin is crisp.

5. Turn the salmon and cook covered for 4-5 minutes until medium rare or longer till your liking.

6. Before serving combine the lemon/lime juice, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced tomatoes and capsicum in a bowl.

7. Place salmon on a plate topped with the tomato and capsicum dressing.

Salmon can also be served along side rice, potato mash or salad.

Source:
http://www.athenna.com/30-amazing-pictures-of-ice-cream/athenna/web_design/teoria-de-design/

Dessert

3. Strawberry Nutella Ice Cream

Serve your partner this indulging dessert and they will love you forever.

What you will need:

- Vanilla Ice Cream

- Chocolate or White Chocolate Chips (As much as you want)

- 4 Strawberries halved

- Nutella (As much as you want)

- Whipped cream

Directions:

1. Place 8 scoops of Vanilla ice cream in a bowl and add in chocolate or white chocolate chips. Toss together to get the chips mixed with the ice cream. (Don't mix too much or the ice cream will melt).

2. Re-scoop the Ice cream into your serving bowl or cup.

3. Add the halved strawberries and drizzle Nutella on top of the ice cream and strawberries.

4. Add whip cream on top and there you have it! 

You can also add pomegranates to top it all off for extra flavour and goodness.