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!