Shakin' in up Smoothie Edition

I follow a few too many vegan foodie/fitties on Instagram but I'm not going to lie - these are my people, my tribe....they sure know how to enjoy the most important meal of the day, Brekkie!

As my thumb does the hard work scrolling through the insta feed I'm seeing all these amazing smoothie bowls decked out with all this fruity colour and granola goodness. But I cry when no recipe is attached but hey how hard can a smoothie bowl be?

I thought I would throw my 2 cents worth and give this one a crack and oh it was a cracker alright. I can't imagine anything else for breakfast when there's no milk in the fridge.

It doesn't get any easier than this when Mimi can whip this up to go before heading to uni - that's right no excuses!

I like to keep a container in the freezer of frozen fruits handy, that's how serious I am about this!

One word - Enjoy!
P.S the recipe may not what you read elsewhere but oh wells!

Breakfast Smoothie bowl

1/3 mango, cubed & frozen overnight*
1 peach, sliced & frozen*
2 T water (to help blend if too frozen)
1/2 fresh banana, sliced
Handful granola/clusters

What the heck - add some nuts if you fancy!

* add any choice of fruits, whatever's in season!

1. Take frozen fruit out of freezer and leave out to defrost a bit. Blend when you can stick a fork through it semi-easily (or give it 20 secs in microwave if you're short of time)

2. Blend frozen fruits so it's a frappe consistency (add the extra water if the blender is choking on the big chunks) and transfer to your fav bowl.

 

3. Hard work is done (or until someone else cleans the blender :P)
Top with sliced banana, granola and nuts and enjoy! Just go topping C-RAZY!

It's autumn now and I'm still loving the freeze of the smoothie! I just kick myself every now and then for not discovering this sooner when I used to wake up to 30 degree mornings!!

Ciao for now!

MVPD
Xx

'Just Oat It' *swoosh*

Newest obsession I guarantee you if:
1. You are an oats fan
2. You like the fresh fruity PUNCH in the mornings
3. You like to eat out of mason jars (Ofc who doesn't)
4. You want to desperately cut out those morning bacon and cheese rolls because you don't have time to make brekkie!

If you haven't guessed already I am talking about the mysterious overnight oats which I have to say is so easy and so yum that I slap myself for not discovering these months ago! After many dark hours on Pinterest, trial and errors and giving the recipe my own spin I've finally found the recipe for me (and hopefully for you too!)

 

What the flippins are overnight oats?! Well, think your average plain porridge oats softened by soaking in milk + yogurt overnight only NOT PLAIN when in the morning (like Cinderella out of the pumpkin carriage but in daylight) when you top with nuts, fruits, syrup and granola! A dash of chia seeds to up that Calcium? Too easy! It's not porridge - it's better! Who wants a scolded tongue in the middle of Summer anyways?!

From now on you can never use the 'I have no time in the morning' excuse! I never want to see a bakery good in your hand ever again unless it's a croissant and you're in Paris...

STEP ONE: Your base BASS!
1/4 C rolled oats
1 1/2 t Chia Seeds
1/4 C milk
1/4 C Greek yoghurt
1 t honey

- mix all into a mason jar (or any container of a 1 Cup size) 

STEP TWO: Choose your fruits!
Here are a few inspired ideas for you but really - 'anything goes'....in :P

Mango Vanilla
1/4 C chopped mango + 1 t vanilla essence

Peanut Banana (don't be phased by the peanut!)
1 T peanut butter + 1/2 banana sliced

Very Berry
1/4 C strawberries sliced, raspberries

Apple Cinnamon
1 t cinnamon + 1 apple chopped

- mix your desired choice through the oats mix

STEP THREE: wake up and go topping crazy!

1. top with either the same or a different sliced fruit
2. Generously sprinkle over some granola or clusters for that CRUNCH!
3. Drizzle some honey if you like and HELLO HEAVEN IN A JAR! 'Nice to meet you, I'm hungry!'

 

Mine's mixed through with Mango + Raspberry
with Banana, Mango + Carmen's Vanilla Clusters!

These overnight oats save my life when I have 8am uni starts!
So enjoy busy bees!!

MVPD xx

It's a markets-kind-of-weekend

Ideally, Michelle and I would spend every Saturday at the markets, satisfying our never-ending desire for clothing, shoes, knick-knacks, bargains, cakes, sweets and ... samosas (they have very good samosas at Glebe).
I really can't imagine my life without having discovered the Glebe and Rozelle Markets (Sunday Market) some years ago. Usually the "I need new clothes" meltdown at home mid week evolves subsequently into a "LET'S GO TO THE MARKETS!!!" weekend trip! Otherwise it's a spontaneous decision on any given Saturday.

Tip:
Speaking of attire, wear something comfy (preferably vintage to blend in with the locals)- especially shoes because you'll do a lot of walking.

A flowy Ladaka dress with Bonds Bralette and comfy vintage boots did the job last Sat- Michelle

Rule #1
See something you like? Grab and hold it straight away and then proceed thought process of whether to buy. Thus you can avoid wistfully watching someone else snag your bargain!

Over the years, you see and hear more tourists fitting these markets into their sight seeing agenda. My only problem is that there'll be more people to fight for clothing over :P

There's always live music to enjoy while you walk around, rummaging through clothing racks and while you lounge on the grass and eat your goodies from the food stalls. There are some great local acts and one damn amazing girl one time -  just as a reminder that many children are more talented than you...

There are plenty of cake, bread and sweet stalls where you can sample a little of what they offer. I always find myself looking at these Portuguese tarts every time I pass the junction of the stalls! My favourite is the Paleo food stall where they sell so many varieties of granola its like I died and went to heaven!

You'll encounter some eccentric characters along your trip like the resident gypsie and many special things that make you smile all dependent on the Saturday that you happen to rock up.

   

Nevertheless there is usually something like a artisan nitrogen ice-cream pop-up store.

Rule #2
Bring home the HAUL and lay them all out so you can admire from a 1m distance.

I cannot recommend a better way to pass the time this weekend! Summer is in full swing and it's always a scorcher so pack your sunnies and a trusty hat and be prepared to come home with lots and lots of bags!

You'll find it at Glebe Public School on Glebe Point Road, a short walk from Parramatta Road :)


MVPD

Vegetarian Cous Cous Summer Salad

This is such a simple, fresh and healthy idea for lunch especially if your on the go. It takes about 10 mins (depending on your culinary chef skillz) and the best thing about it, is that it stores really well- that is you can take it along to school, uni or work and it will still be crispy to bite and not so soggy.

Warning: this salad has mango in it. Yes, Mango! At first I was always skeptical about fruit in salad (of course with the exception of tomatoe, cucumber and what have you...) but the sweetness of the fruit compliments the tang of tomates and the overall texture of the Cous Cous and lettuce.

Ok enough dawdling here's the recipe:

For a single serve you'll need:

- A handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered

- About two table spoons of cous cous grain

- Half a cup of diced mango

- A few lettuce leaves roughly chopped

- Three table spoons of beansssssss

- Two table spoons of corn

- Quarter of a red onion, diced

- A lil' bit of pasley, roughly chopped

- drizzle of olive oil

**optional: cashews, mint, balsamic vinegar, tuna, chicken

1. Prepare cous cous grain according to the box or packet. Usually the ratio of cous cous to hot water is 1:1.5 (you can add broth powder here for added taste). I use a mug and chuck everything inside and place an inverted plate on it. Set aside for later.

2.  Put everything else into a bowl, mix thoroughly

3. The cous cous should be softer by now- if not you can put it in the microwave at high for max 15 secs. Give the cous cous a good mix in the mug and tip it into the bowl, mixing again.

4. I definitely recommend crushing some cashews for a bit of crunch and the mint and balsamic is optional, as is tuna and chicken for my meat appreciating folk out there.

  

5. Take a pic and insta it with the hashtag #thesydneysideup for me to seeeeeee!

6. Now you may eat it!


I hope you enjoy it, it's not very original but it's delish- which counts the most I think. Also let me know how fast you can make this in the comments below!

MLVD