LIFESTYLE: LITTLE LIFE BOX REVIEW

Have you tried the Little LIFE Box? I recently received a box to try it out, and I kind of love it! You basically get samples of lifestyle products which are organic and (can be) vegan if you are on a vegan diet. As you might know, I recently made a huge lifestyle change, and have completely changed the way I eat. I am on a very limited carb diet (basically I can only have quinoa, buckwheat and millet); and I have eliminated all dairy out of my diet. 

It is great when I buy raw ingredients and make everything myself, but trying to find a ready-made snack that fits my diet has been a tough challenge. I try to eat organic wherever I can, I am not 100% vegan though, however I do try to look for good quality food products. So when I found out about  "Little Life box", I figured I have nothing to lose so I tried one out. The box contained plant based protein powder, very delicious gluten-free and dairy-free protein bars, organic fair trade black tea (hello? addict over here!)..even some great energy boost packets which are full of vitamins. Check out their site over HERE and try it for yourself. I have already found some great products, and you can find out more details on the products they send you from their site. BTW it is not just food, the products range from organic,vegan skincare to household items! So be sure to check it out..I am sure you will love it!

FOOD DIARIES: RED LENTIL CURRY SOUP

I have recently made a big change in my life. I have completely changed the way I eat and have lost 12 lbs in the last few months! I wasn't too big but I had that last stubborn 10-12 lbs that just wouldn't budge. Without any excessive exercising, and mostly changing the diet, I have truly transformed my body. I have recently discovered that some of the food groups have been bothering me, such as gluten and dairy. I have always felt tired and weak, even my sleep was terrible. I would wake up 3-4 times a night; and was just unable to get through the day without drinking 4-5 cups of tea/coffee. 

Since I have started my new clean (but delicious) diet, I have never felt better! I sleep like a baby, and wake up feeling refreshed. It keeps my caffeine cravings low which helps me sleep better at night. See how I was stuck in a vicious cycle?! Basically, I have eliminated ALL simple carbs from my diet, and of course no sugar at all, not even honey. On day 3 of this diet I knew I have done something amazing for myself. My skin was "glowing" according to everyone who met me. I was already sleeping better, I felt lighter and had already dropped a pound! I started this journey three months ago and have never looked back.
Having this diet been so successful to me, I have decided to share some of my favorite go-to comfort food recipes. I don't know about you, but I can't do salads for more than a week.I have about a week in a month when I, for some reason, crave salads (odd, I know), but then I want warm comfort food.

{I would recommend speaking to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet}

So, let's start with the Red Lentil Curry, it is easy, fast, and oh so good. This dish is vegan, vegetarian, carb-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high in protein!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Red Lentils
• 4 cups Water
• 1 tbsp of Turmeric Powder (a MUST)
• Salt to taste (I start with 1.5tsp, then add more if needed)
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds (optional)
• 1/2 chopped Onion
• 2 cloves of minced Garlic
• 1-2 green Chillies (if you like it hot!)
• 2 tbsp Cooking oil (vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc.)

Directions:

• In a medium sauce pan add cooking oil and cumin seeds - Heat: Med-High
• Let the seeds sizzle and slightly brown, then add onion, garlic, chilies.
• Add salt and turmeric and stir - add a splash of water if they start to burn
• Wait 2 mins before adding the lentils and water
• Increase the Heat to High and bring it to boil, then reduce to med-low
• (But, honestly, if you don't have the time, you can get away with throwing all the ingredients in at the same time!)
• Keep heat on Medium, and let it cook for 25 mins

Easy as that. It is delicious and healthy. Garnish with cherry tomatoes or coriander/cilantro leaves.

TIP: Once cooked, you can puree the curry in a blender (once cooled) or with hand blender for a creamy soup look! 

EASTER BRUNCH: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FRENCH TOAST

Hello, this is Kaif from Quirk Kitchen sharing a delicious French toast recipe with you today. I hope you all benefited from the Spring Soirée table design. But, what about the food, you ask. Strawberries are perfect for a spring soirée. Add them to any dish, and it adds a pop of colour. It does not get more elegant than french toast for brunch either.  Therefore, I present the Strawberry shortcake french toast.  

Ingredients - [Makes one serving]

3 tablespoons of cottage cheese (or ricotta or mascarpone) 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 egg

1 tablespoon sugar for the French toast and 1 teaspoon sugar for cheese

3-4 fresh strawberries (a handful of blueberries are optional) 

1 tablespoon milk

Oil for cooking

2 slices of thick white bread or Korean white bread.  

1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs

Maple syrup (optional)

Directions: Heat your skillet on medium low. In a blender, add cheese, vanilla essence and 1 teaspoon sugar. Blend till cottage cheese is a little less lumpy. In a bowl, big enough to dip bread in, add milk, one egg, 1 tablespoon sugar. Beat the ingredients till the mixture turns light and fluffy. 

Dip a slice of bread in it, both sides. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs. Add a little oil and toast your french toast till it is well cooked on both sides. Repeat with the second slice. 

Assemble your toast: Add cheese on top of the slice, fresh strawberries and sprinkle a dash of graham cracker crumbs. Drizzle maple syrup. Voila!

My Laduree Obsession

If you ask anyone that knows me, they know that I am kind of addicted to Macarons! Well who isn't really! Since I first discovered them through blogs in 2008, and tried the original Laduree Macaron in 2009 in Paris..my life has never been the same! I have tried macarons all over the place, but nothing compares to the original Laduree. Everything I have a friend visit Paris (which thankfully happens often enough) I ask them to bring me back macarons, of course. So when my husband's friend went to Paris last month and brought me back some Macarons..but never did I expect such a big box! He got me 2 dozen macarons! I had almost forgotten how amazing Laduree's macarons really were, almost like little piece of heaven with in every bite!

This is probably the longest intro I have ever written for a blogpost..but it is only because I LOVE these colourful little cake/cookies ;) Something this beautiful must of course be photographed first, and that was probably the hardest thing I had to do...WAIT! So I gave myself half an hour to do what I gotta do and then sit back and enjoy..I can't share with you the amazing taste but I hope this pictures give you an idea..because they taste even better than they look!