healthy food ideas

Hi hi hi! This post has been a long time in the works, and I'm so sorry it's taken me ages to finally write it. I have not yet mastered the art of cooking, but I am working on it and have managed to create a few really delicious meals and snacks that are healthy and good for you.

Hummus

I am so obsessed with this hummus recipe - I love it on bagel crisps, vegetables, and sesame crackers. It's so much cheaper and healthier than buying it from the store as it's not loaded with preservatives! By the way - I normally cut this recipe in half.

Ingredients: 

• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 cups canned chickpeas (save the liquid to add later)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
• 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons chickpea liquid
• 8 dashes hot sauce

Using a food processor, mince the garlic cloves. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the hummus is coarse.

Tomato Basil Pasta

This pasta requires so few ingredients and is so easy to make! It's light and refreshing and also delicious. I didn't really use any specific quantities of the ingredients, I saw a picture on Tumblr and just tried to recreate it myself. Feel free to get creative!

Ingredients:

• Diced tomatoes
• Basil
• Mozarella
• Angel hair noodles
• Olive oil

In one pan, add about a tablespoon of olive oil and cook the diced tomatoes on low heat until soft and the juice has mixed with the olive oil. In a pot, boil water and cook the noodles. Drain the water, mix the tomatoes and olive oil to the pasta. Add a few leaves of basil, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and enjoy!

 

All the other options I'd like to share don't really require recipes, but if you'd like details on how I make them, feel free to ask!

Egg white omelette with sliced red peppers, water with strawberry ice cubes

Raspberry and cucumber water

 

Mixed greens salad with cucumbers, peppers, carrots and chick peas

My favorite food ever - whole wheat bread, peanut butter and sliced bananas

These are just a few of my favorite meals and snacks; the others aren't really photo-worthy (sliced fruit and Greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, steel cut oats, etc) but I thought these were a few great starters. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask! :)

diy body scrub

Hello everyone! The last month has been a whirlwind of studying and exams but now I am finally home with a few weeks before I begin my internship, so I am back to blogging here hopefully more often than I even was before!

I want to share a DIY body scrub recipe with you all that has changed my life. I am not usually one for DIY beauty products, but lately I've been trying to save a bit of money where I can, and I certainly don't need to be spending a ridiculous amount of money on body scrubs. So I looked up a few recipes, combined a couple of ingredients, and have made my own body scrub that has changed my face and my skin! The smoothness is unbeatable, and the ingredients are naturally beneficial. (I would add a picture, but honestly it looks a bit like vomit. Oops!)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar
• 5 or so drops of vanilla extract

Mix all of these ingredients in a bowl with a spoon until it becomes a paste. It will smell a bit odd thanks to the olive oil (but that's the magic ingredient!).

For your face: Wet your face with lukewarm water, then scrub in small circles for about three minutes. Let the scrub sit for another two, then wash off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a towel. If your skin feels a bit oily, that's because you've just scrubbed it with oil! Eventually the oil will sink in and really moisturize your skin.
For your legs: (I use this instead of shaving cream - its moisturizing effect is unbeatable!) After rinsing your legs, scrub with your fingertips in an upward direction. Rinse the scrub off and shave your legs. Use the scrub again, and then shave your legs again. (Twice? Yes, twice - the first time removes the hair, the second time removes the dead skin, which gives that super-smooth feeling.)

After using this scrub, my face feels incredibly hydrated (I definitely needed it after ten hours on an airplane), and my legs feel super smooth and luxurious. I plan on using this on my face 1-2 times a week and every time I shave in replacement of an expensive shaving cream. Can't beat the hydration and smoothness for summertime skin!

Next post: healthy snacks and meals!