Couscous with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomato
Couscous is the stuff that looks like pasta but isn’t, or perhaps it looks like a grain of some kind, but it isn’t that either. In fact, couscous can refer to one of two things: either coarsely ground durum wheat, known as semolina, or North African couscous. North African couscous comes in two forms, fine and medium, and is more similar to pasta than grain.
The North African variety is probably the best to use with this recipe as it gives it an authentic flavor when combined with the black olives and sun-dried tomatoes. The couscous provides a chewy bed for the delicious black olives and sun-dried tomatoes. The irresistible combination of these three ingredients gives the dish a Mediterranean vibe and unforgettable taste. It’s also extremely healthy.
To make this healthy vegan dish, book vegetable broth and water in a pan, stir in the couscous, and add seasoning. Let it simmer. In a skillet, heat olive oil and add pine nuts, fry until golden brown. In a saucepan, add olive oil and heat garlic and shallots. When soft, stir in the black olives and sundried tomatoes until heated through. Combine with the couscous.
Ultimate Tofu Breakfast Burrito Bowls
Everybody loves burritos, but is it the burrito they love or the burrito filling? The great thing about burritos is their flexibility, you can not only put anything you want into them, but you can also play with their form. You can have them in wraps or bowls, for instance, depending on your preference. This ultimate burrito bowl recipe is designed for breakfast, but in reality, it can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Although you can eat this delicious burrito bowl for lunch or dinner, the idea for it is breakfast. You would probably eat this as a treat breakfast, perhaps as an alternative to a fully cooked breakfast with lots of fatty food. The ultimate breakfast burrito delivers the same mealtime satisfaction as a cooked breakfast without the fat and extra calories.
To make this special occasion breakfast, heat oil on a skillet, break up the tofu and add salt and pepper. Cook until tofu is brown. Then add onion, garlic powder, and turmeric. Cook for five minutes. Then heat a saucepan with oil and add tomatoes, cumin, and salt, until the tomatoes become saucy. You can then add the beans, cilantro, and lemon juice.
Vegan Red Lentil Soup
Everybody loves lentil soup! It’s filling, contains lots of protein, and it’s super easy to make. Even if you aren’t into vegan food, you will find this red lentil soup hard to resist. You can serve this dish as a starter to the main meal, eat it for lunch with some delicious crusty bread, or have it as a snack after coming in from the winter weather.
This vegan red lentil soup is made using red lentils and butternut squash for additional flavor and fullness. Combining these two ingredients ensures that the soup is not too bland. The lentils and squash are cooked down the spice, and coconut milk is added to create a creamy vegan lentil soup that is simply irresistible. The other great about it is the easy with which it can be made and the simplicity of the ingredients.
To make some yourself, heat oil in a large pot and add onion, ginger, garlic, and fenugreek. Then add lentils, squash, and cilantro to the pot. Stir in water, coconut milk, and tomato paste; you can season it further with curry powder, cayenne pepper, nutmeg salt, and pepper. Simmer on a low heat until lentils are soft.
Black Bean and Corn Salad
It doesn’t have to be summer to enjoy a delicious salad that’s healthy and keeps your weight down. On the contrary, the Black Bean and Corn Salad can be enjoyed as a starter or a stand-alone meal at any time of the year. It takes very little time to prepare and can be used as a healthy snack on its own or combined with a wrap to bring extra flavor to a tortilla or burrito.
If you want to stay healthy through the winter so that you don’t have excess weight to knock off come January, try incorporating a dish such as the Black Bean and Corn Salad into your diet; you might also try supplements helps reduce fat absorption. Have the salad in the afternoon an hour before you exercise to stave off the hunger pangs and give you a card boost for running or swimming. It’s easy to eat fatty foods in the winter but keeping things light is more beneficial for your health.
Make this tasty salad by placing the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper into a small jar. Close the lid on the far and give it a vigorous shake until all the ingredients are mixed well together. Next, prepare the beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro in a salad bowl. Stir up the salad ingredients and pour the dressing over the top to flavor.
Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Simply because you eat vegan food doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious burgers now and again. The good news is these ones don’t contain meat, and they’re super healthy. It’s easy to pick up a box of frozen burgers at the supermarket, even vegan ones these days, but if you buy the ingredients for these homemade ones instead, you won’t ever go back to the frozen kind.
A delicious vegan burger is something that suits everybody, veggies, and meat-people alike. They can be served in a bun like a traditional burger or one their own as part of a main meal. These burgers can be given a healthy twist by combining them with salad or used as an indulgent treat by pouring beans over them and serving them with fries. However, you choose to eat your burgers; you won’t be disappointed.
To make these one-of-a-kind burgers preheat your oven to 350⁰F and prepare a baking tray with a baking sheet. Mash together black beans, onion, garlic, carrots, green pepper, whisk cornstarch, water, chile-garlic sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper together in a separate bowl. Mix wholewheat bread into the mixture and stir in ¼ cups of flour until a sticky batter forms. Scoop mounds of burger-sized batter onto the baking tray and cook.
It is only 99 days until Christmas which means the holiday seasons are almost here!!! The holidays can be stressful, especially all the extended family time. It’s a good idea to do whatever you can to try to make things much more enjoyable with your entire family. Whether you are already starting to think about Christmas, or you are just hoping to make sure that you have a good Halloween together, the following advice should help you to make those times count as much as possible, and keep everyone in the family happy!!!!!
Make Sure Everyone Is Considered
One of the major things you can do is to ensure that everyone in the family gets a say in what happens. That’s important whether you are all on holiday somewhere together, or just when you are spending a lot of time together indoors for the holiday period. The simple way to ensure that everyone is included and feels considered is to make it a safe space to speak your minds. That way, if someone objects they can merely say so, and you are going to be able to keep everyone much happier.
Get Gifts For Each Other
The value of gifts in all this is incredibly important. They are a valuable way of you showing each other that you really do care, and not just because you happen to be family. This is especially true if you manage to find gifts for each other which actually speaks to that individual in an appropriate way. Alternatively, you can buy gifts that are suitable for what you are doing as a family. A great idea would be to create a “Theme” Christmas this year. So a Hawaiian Christmas could mean you give each other flowers, for instance. This would allow for everyone to exchange a small token together, keeping with the holiday spirit.
Keep The Stress Low
It is often natural for families to get stressed when they spend long periods of time together. But you can do plenty to try and keep that stress at bay, and doing so is often going to make for a much more enjoyable time in general. There are many ways to achieve this. One is to simply keep your own mind in check, and hope that other people follow suit. That does work pretty well. You can also ensure that everyone has a little alone time where necessary, in order to stop things getting too heated.
Enjoy It
Above all, enjoy it! Make sure that you are making the most of the time spent with your family, and that you are doing everything you can to make it the most enjoyable time possible. As long as you actively try to do that, there is no reason why you can’t make it a reality. Before you know it, family holiday times could become much more enjoyable and more like something you look forward to than you might have thought possible.
I started taking Apple Cider gummies about a year ago. I read for ages how taking Apple Cider every day was soooo good for you but I never incorporated it into my daily routine. I received an email from the Goli company and I was hooked after reading their WEBSITE. Goli gummies are so beneficial. By taking the recommended dose every day, the gummies will+++++Help reduce appetite + Help support healthy weight management + Help support gut health for healthy digestion + Help support a healthy immune system + Help improve energy + Help support a healthy heart. I see the most change in my immune system and energy since I started taking the gummies. I have partnered with Goli to bring you a discount on your order to get you started on your way to feeling and looking better. Use the code NSLIFESTYLESBLOG for any Goli Apple Cider product.
I have partnered with Sak’s Off Fifth for some fall shopping. Every time I check their website I find some great deals. I am really excited about the following picks. There is a little something for everyone…and I LOVE the discounted prices…Happy Shopping!!!
This poncho with the fur details is a great closet staple. Perfect for the upcoming fall chilly nights eating outside…
I love the look of this scarf….
Im dying to try this candle…I love the blue color and stone finial
The crochet look is soo popular right now…
I cannot get enough of Tom Ford cosmetics…this palette set is incredible…
My girls and I are crazy for this body shimmer oil….
These are the BEST sunglasses…..love the shape and size…
If you have been loving the Valentino sandals…this is a great deal….
Such a cute dress…perfect for Thanksgiving!!!!
A bow blouse is another wardrobe staple..I love the sleeves and this would look great with dark jeans or leather flare pants…
This black blouse is another great staple….I’d love it with leather pants as well…
I am buying these for my girls and keeping them for Christmas…they love the look of ear cuffs…
Moving house is stressful but it doesn’t always have to be so difficult. With this guide, you can ensure that things run smoothly. You should always look at interstate removalists and then see some of the best packing tips to make the move go down without a hitch! At first you may not be so sure if moving home is possible, as it is such a huge step. Which is why it’s important to first look at some deciding factors that could assist you greatly:
Photo: Unsplash
1.Determine a maximum budget for your move
Before making a move, you need to have an action plan to avoid problems. One of the main concerns is knowing how much a move costs . Therefore, it is recommended that you decide a fixed amount of money that you want to spend during the move. In this way, you can determine if it is worth doing the move yourself or if you prefer to hire a moving company.
2. Start early
Don’t leave everything to the last minute, save yourself some stress and start preparing for the move early. Two months in advance may seem like a lot, but it is a reasonable time frame. Take a look at a moving guide for more information on how to move. Decide on the day of your move keeping in mind that moving companies charge a higher price for moving during weekends or holidays. Therefore, it is advisable to decide which day is going to be best for you and when companies have time. The most expensive months are usually between June and September.
3. Get rid of what you don’t need
It is clear that there are objects with sentimental and economic value that you cannot get rid of. However, think carefully and decide what you really need. Try to take what is necessary and reduce the volume of your shipment. Not sure what to do with the objects that you have left over? Here are some ideas:
- Donate your belongings to a charity or thrift store to ensure that you are giving them to good causes.
- Donate your belongings to a charitable flea market, if you should wish.
- Sell the objects you don’t need, especially clothes, on eBay if you need a few extra pennies for certain things.
Photo: Unsplash
When packing
1. First remember that it is better to do things little by little and with time, and not overnight. So try to start packing early.
2. Take this opportunity to get rid of everything you don’t need! If you don’t love something, if it doesn’t make you happy, if you don’t use it, DON’T PACK IT! Leave it behind, break free and start a life without junk in your new home.
3. Gather everything you will need:
- Trash bags: Get the extra resistant type, and buy two different colors. Reserve one of the colors exclusively for trash. Or better yet, buy some colored ones, and others transparent, so that you put the trash in the opaque bags, and the transparent ones you use for the things you need to take to your new home.
- Cardboard boxes: Try to pack everything you can in boxes, but if you can’t get enough, use them for delicate things. Don’t pick them too big, because they’ll get too heavy once they’re full.
- Newspaper: Wrap enough newspaper around your dishes, pyrex, knives, and other delicate things. Then put everything in boxes.
- Duct tape: Buy enough tape, and if you can, buy a dispenser as well. If someone else will help you pack, buy another tape dispenser. Also buy paper masking tape to create a visible space for labeling boxes and bags.
- Scissors and thick markers: You can buy markers of various colors, and identify each room with a different color and the boxes/bags that go in each one. Or you can buy one color, and label them “kitchen,” “office,” “master bathroom,” and so on.
Photo: Unsplash
As the big day approaches …
1. Pack apart from all the other things, a set of sheets and 1 blanket for each bed, 1 cloth or towel for each member of the family, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other things that they will need the morning immediately after move-in day. Also pack a change of clothes for each member, two if you have small children or babies, diapers etc.
2. Give your new house a good clean, including windows, walls, bathrooms, and toilets. This will be the only time you can get to each-and-every-corner easily, so take advantage! And while you’re there, make sure all the lights are working, and the hot water is on and running. Have all your insurance policies to hand just in case you need to get things fixed quickly.
3. Also, pack some disposable plates, glasses, forks and spoons, and what you will need for breakfast the next day: the coffee maker, coffee, filters, a frying pan, etc.
4. Try to spend all the food that you have frozen or refrigerated, so that it is not going to spoil with the move. Remember that the refrigerator must be left without operation for 24 hours after it has been moved, so that the gas in the cooling system has time to stabilize and work properly.
5. Wash all clothes that get dirty, and keep dirty clothes to a minimum. You don’t want to have a pile of washing before you have even started! Therefore be prepared and think ahead.
6. Find someone who can clean your old house after you have moved. After moving, you’ll need to focus your energies on organizing your new home, so it’s best to leave the old house work to someone else.
7. Make a list of super fast foods that you can make without thinking, without using many utensils or many pots and pans! You don’t want to be fishing around looking for the necessary equipment that you need in order to make food quickly and efficiently.
8. Manage with the cable, internet and telephone company to coordinate the installation visit of the services, obviously after you have moved to your new home. If necessary, make calls to your current companies to suspend services at your “old” house after they have moved. This way people can still contact you when they really need to which is vital for your personal and business life.
On the day of the move …
.Make sure you have easy access to your cleaning supplies and equipment. Even if you’ve cleaned your house before you move, the constant in-and-out from everyone is going to make it dirty, so you better have what you need on hand to give it a quick clean.
When unpacking the moving truck …
1. Assemble the beds first and put the mattress on them at once. Don’t put things on top of them as you unload the truck. At the end of the day everyone will be tired, and the least you want to do is have to remove lots of bags and heavy things to sleep.
2. Install the washer and dryer as soon as possible so you can get things up and running which is important if you have kids who need clean clothes or schoolwear straight away.
3. Review your list of super fast foods, decide what you are going to cook that day (or the next day, depending on the time you finish moving things), and go to the supermarket to buy what you need.
The day after moving in
1. Get up early so you can enjoy the day. Take a shower, put on comfortable clothes (don’t stay in your pajamas) and eat a simple but nutritious breakfast that will keep you full for several hours.
2. Start in the room that is used the most , or that is most urgent to unpack. It could be the kitchen, or if you work from home, maybe the office is the room you need to install first. Go opening all the boxes or bags marked with #1 (following the system we talked about before), or those that you know that contain the most necessary things.
3. Put everything in its place as you take out boxes and bags, and take empty boxes and bags out of the room as soon as you empty them.
4. As soon as you finish with the most urgent in that room, resist the urge to continue with the other boxes. Rather, move to the other rooms, and do the same with the most urgent boxes and bags.
5. After you have unpacked boxes #1, move on to #2, or less urgent.
6. Mainly, don’t try to unpack everything in one day. Do not forget to eat at your own time, stop from time to time to drink water, rest your legs, etc.
Moving is always a strenuous job, lasting several days or even weeks, but if you are fortunate to be moving to a bigger or better house, then this will be a pleasure in a way!
Fall in New York City is my favorite time of year. Unfortunately this year, most of the fun fall city activities are put on hold right now. I found this book and added it to my pile right away. I thought a good old fashion NYC story would fill the void of not being able to spend a lot of time in the big apple right now. Here is the summary of this page-turning NYT’s best seller:
It’s 1913, and on the surface, Laura Lyons couldn’t ask for more out of life – her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library, allowing their family to live in an apartment within the grand building, and they are blessed with two children. But headstrong, passionate Laura wants more, and when she takes a leap of faith and applies to the Columbia Journalism School, her world is cracked wide open. As her studies take her all over the city, she is drawn to Greenwich Village’s new bohemia, where she discovers the Heterodoxy Club – a radical, all-female group in which women are encouraged to loudly share their opinions on suffrage, birth control, and women’s rights. Soon, Laura finds herself questioning her traditional role as wife and mother. But when valuable books are stolen back at the library, threatening the home and institution she loves, she’s forced to confront her shifting priorities head on…and may just lose everything in the process.
Eighty years later, in 1993, Sadie Donovan struggles with the legacy of her grandmother, the famous essayist Laura Lyons, especially after she’s wrangled her dream job as a curator at the New York Public Library. But the job quickly becomes a nightmare when rare manuscripts, notes, and books for the exhibit Sadie’s running begin disappearing from the library’s famous Berg Collection. Determined to save both the exhibit and her career, the typically risk-averse Sadie teams up with a private security expert to uncover the culprit. However, things unexpectedly become personal when the investigation leads Sadie to some unwelcome truths about her own family heritage – truths that shed new light on the biggest tragedy in the library’s history. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE!!!!