Little Green Dot

Category: Food

Noni Fruit // Backyard Superfood
This alley runs just along my condo where there’s a single tree that produces fruit like it’s always in season, dripping these soft pods along the pavement.

A few months ago I saw a neighbour collect the fruit and jar it. It sat outside his house for weeks – I was so curious to know what he was doing, but far too shy to ask.

The mystery was finally solved when I met Wendee, her family makes a range of noni enzyme skincare called Biconi – and I learned that this entire time, I’ve had a superfood growing right in my backyard!

It must have been planted by someone who knew about the benefits of this fruit!

In Singapore, the noni tree can be found, usually in areas where kampongs used to be. In Chinese medicine and Japanese traditions – the leaves and fruit are used medicinally to treat everything from colds to diabetes, infections and skin ailments. The leaves are heated and placed on the chest to treat a cough and to heal wounds.

The fruit itself has potent antioxidants – and I now know that what my neighbour was doing, was fermenting the noni to make a health tonic.

Keep your eyes open for this superfood, you might have one growing in your backyard too! And check out Biconi to see how they use noni enzymes to create whole-food skincare that nourishes your largest organ for healthy skin and hair!
- Biconi’s website
- Biconi on the Little Green Dot Marketplace
July 6, 2015
Herbal Teas for Beautiful Skin

While we love slathering on various skincare products for our blemishes, wrinkles, and other skin issues, we often forget that nourishing the skin from within plays a far larger role to how our skin looks like. Often we go about it the wrong way and apply harmful chemical laden synthetic beauty products that end up causing more harm than good.

What if I tell you we can all now drink our way to gorgeous glowing skin? And I’m not talking about the latest beauty pill or quick fix method but it can be simply made in the comforts of your own kitchen. Sounds tea-riffic right?

So I met with the clinical herbalist, Alina Uchida (founder of Abundant Earth) to learn more about herbal teas. We discussed on the common concerns of her clients who want to opt for natural alternatives when making real and lasting change for their skin.

So, if you have any of these skin conditions, perhaps you can grab one of these herbal teas, which has heap of benefits for healthy skin. (Note: Please be advised to consult your doctor or make an appointment with Alina for a consult)

Really? Herbal teas and teas are not the same?

Black/green/white teas, all come from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). The level of fermentation determines the colour – green tea being the least fermented, and highest in antioxidants. As the above all come from the same plant, they have more or less a similar chemical makeup. They all contain caffeine, tannins, and antioxidants.

Herbal teas, on the other hand, don’t come from the tea bush, but from their respective herbs. For example, Chamomile flowers, Echinacea root, Nettle leaf, all come from different plants, which have very different chemical profiles. Each possesses a wide range of active, healing phytochemicals and unique medicinal properties. Some are anti-inflammatory, some restorative, or stimulating, or relaxing.

Herbal teas are the gentlest form of Herbal Medicine, and do not contain caffeine, which makes them ideal for those of us who are caffeine sensitive, insomniacs or generally want to avoid stimulants. Herbal teas are a great ally for health and beauty, as the root to these problems more often than not originates internally, and should be treated from within.

Acne

Burdock root is an important herb for acne, as it supports your liver’s detox functions. What has the liver got to do with acne, you may ask. In short, one of the most common factors in acne is hormonal imbalance. The liver breaks down circulating hormones and toxins in our body, and prepares them for elimination. If it isn’t functioning well, you will have an excess of hormones circulating through your body.

Now that excess hormones and toxins have been processed, you must ensure that you are eliminating them efficiently. Enter Dandelion Root and Licorice Root, wonderful anti-inflammatory herbs that help move sluggish bowels. I usually like to combine these three herbs with the Red Clover (a blood purifier), in my herbal blends for acne.

Eczema

Liver supportive herbs such as Burdock and Yellow Dock help elimination of irritating toxins from your body. Combine these with Nettle Leaf (a natural antihistamine, which is rich in skin healing minerals), Red Clover (a blood purifier), and Licorice Root, for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Applying a strong infusion of Calendula flowers to affected skin may also help soothe the itch, reduce inflammation and dryness, and help skin healing.

Do remember that your food choices have a huge impact on your skin. Eating less processed, sugar heavy foods (acne is sometimes referred to as ‘skin diabetes’), and dairy, and more plant-based foods, will start you on the right path.

Acne & eczema are two very different conditions with different triggers/causes. And if you are thinking why I didn’t add for dry skin/ stretch marks, that’s because dry skin would probably be better off treated with oils (as dry skin is a lack of oil/digestive issue, and stretch marks is treated more topically than internally).

Healthy Hair (our scalp is our skin too!)

Healthy, strong, glossy hair feeds on an abundance of minerals, namely iron and zinc. Dandelion leaf, Burdock root are especially rich in iron, while Nettle leaf is a rich source of both minerals.

My hair and nails grow like crazy when I am on a course of Nettle concentrated infusion. To make a concentrated infusion, place around 30g of nettle leaf in a glass jar, cover with 3 cups of boiled water, screw on the lid, and leave to infuse at room temperature overnight. Next morning, strain and drink throughout the day. You can drink it as is, chilled or gently heat it up. You can try nettle concentrated infusion for hair loss!

Rosemary is another great herb for healthy hair & scalp. You can use your left over infusion for a nourishing herbal hair rinse.

Wrinkles

Gotu kola, also known as Centella, is my favourite anti-aging, rejuvenative herb. It is known as the ‘fountain of youth’, and is said to preserve the mind, as well as the body. How does it slow our ageing skin & bodies? By stimulating collagen production (our bodies produce less collagen as we age). More collagen means, skin with more elasticity, bounciness, and firmness, ie. less wrinkles. And it does this on the inside too. You will find Gotu Kola is a major ingredient in rejuvenating skin care & cellulite treatment products. On top of that, it is a fabulous tonic for frazzled, stressed out nerves.

Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes are usually a symptom of sluggish lymphatics, or allergies, rather than late nights. As such, you may find that eye creams, gels, serums and other miracles in a bottle only help temporarily.

Calendula is a superb lymphatic herb, and may be combined with a herbal diuretic, such as dandelion leaf, to eliminate excess fluid. I would also add some Gotu Kola as it stimulates microcirculation, and improves skin tone.

For temporary relief make a strong infusion of green or black tea, and place over your eyes for 5-10 mins. The astringent effect of the tannins will help reduce puffiness.

“We are what we repeatedly do. It is said that success is the sum of small habits, repeated day in and day out. This is also true of health. The foundation for good health is cultivated day by day, cup by cup.” – Abundant Earth

written by Ferina Natasya of Musings off the Mat for Little Green Dot
photography by Little Green Dot

July 3, 2015
Upgrade your Green Smoothie
I’m so excited about this recipe! It comes from The Nutrition Clinic here in Singapore – created by a nutritionist who specialises in helping people cleanse their body and rebalance their diet.

This smoothie has the perfect balance of greens, protein and healthy fat which is so important to fuel your body with a boost of nutrients and sustainable energy. This is a weight-loss green smoothie – it’s cleansing and beautifying.

And it’s delicious!

I love that it’s light and fresh – but with the avocado – its also rich and substantial. You have to try it for yourself!

Low-Sugar Weight-Loss Smoothie Recipe

by The Nutrition Clinic

Start your morning with this smoothie for breakfast – challenge yourself to drink it everyday for 1 week and see how you feel!

ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- 1/4 large cucumber
- juice from 1-2 limes
- 1-2 cups of water
- handful of mint or coriander
directions for making the perfect smoothie:
- Any blender will work
- Roughly chop up the greens and fruit into small pieces
- Feed the container slowly if you need to
- Blend for at least 20 seconds or until completely smooth
- Drink this first thing in the morning – or for an afternoon pick-up!
p.s. a jug blender or stick blender will work fine for this recipe. If you have been thinking about buying a blender of your own, you can check out my recommendations here.
February 19, 2015
A Breakfast Trick to Make The Best Eggs!

You’ve got perfectly cooked eggs and beautiful crispy hash-browns, all in one pan. Key word: one-pan! Serve this up for a weekend breakfast – your family will think you’re some of kind of genius! I’ve been making single serving portions in my mini pans, but I have a sneaking suspicion that you could do a larger batch of hash-brown, and crack in a few eggs to make one big serving.

PS – I’m considering trying this recipe with sweet potato… what do you think? Either way, it’s so easy – so delicious – give it a try!

Start by grating a raw potato into a bowl of cold water. Let it sit there as you prepare the pan, get out the eggs… give it a good few minutes, it helps with getting a crisp in your hash brown. Some say you should wait 30 minutes… maybe go take a shower and come back? 🙂

Drain and rinse. You want your potato to be completely dry before you cook it up. You can do this with a towel, a salad-spinner, but I think the best way is to grab a fist full and squeeze!

Then it’s just a matter of heating up your pan with a knob of butter, or a spray of vegetable oil. Cook up the grated potato, season it well and give it about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. It takes a bit of time, but don’t rush this part – that crunch is crucial.

Definitely make a mess and get bits of potato everywhere – as demonstrated below. Once it’s nice and ready – you just crack in the egg. Couldn’t be easier. I put a lid over the pan, so that I don’t need to flip my egg – it cooks perfectly that way.

It’s that simple. Looks impressive on the plate, but couldn’t be easier to make. It does take a bit of time to cook the hash brown, if 15 minutes is long – but you could be making a pot of coffee, cutting up some fresh fruit… planning out your day. For me, it’s a lovely way to spend my time in the morning!

Perfect – that’s just how I like my eggs! But that’s just me – I’d love to know how you cook yours! Take a picture and share it on Facebook or Instagram #littlegreendot so we can all see!

October 16, 2014
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
I cannot tell you what a joy this cake is to make. To say it’s beyond easy, would be a complete understatement. But, I think what really makes me smile – is all the zucchini that goes in it!

I do like my veggies – but it trips me out how something that looks and tastes like a brownie – can be packing so much wholesomeness!

Zucchini: I think this vegetable is completely under-appreciated. Here’s why it deserves more love:
1. It’s so versatile – you can veg up any meal with zucchini. It’s mild in flavour and if you shred it – it melts into soups, stews, rice, beans, muffins, cakes. Parents: when I make my kids chicken nuggets, I use a mixture of 1/2 minced chicken and 1/2 shredded zucchini!
2. Going low carb? You can replace pasta with zucchini noodles. Either cut spaghetti shaped slices (discard the centre core with seeds) or invest in a spiralizer. Eat your “zoodles” raw or cook them in water until soft. They will hold their shape, and absorb the flavour of your favorite pasta sauce!
3. It’s super low calorie. Not that we’re counting! But there’s only 21 calories per cup. Using zucchini will bulk up your recipes, without bulking up the calories.
4. It’s rich in minerals, especially potassium which helps the heart by countering the negative effects of sodium.
5. It’s rich in vitamins, especially Vit C – an important antioxidant that helps maintain supple, youthful skin from within!
6. It lasts ages in the fridge. It will never, ever go off. Even when you think you have nothing to eat, that zucchini in the back of the fridge is still good!
So that’s pretty awesome, but let’s not forget… the chocolate! We’re using a combination of cacao powder and chocolate chips.

Cacao Powder: Go for a raw cacao, because it’s been processed in a way that retains all the nutrition it offers. (Find it: Worldwide, Singapore)
Chocolate Chips: I decided to play with my new cacao paste – which is pure cacao beans ground into a paste. That’s right, 100% cacao. This is a dark chocolate cake – but that’s how I roll. If you like it bitter-sweet, go ahead and use a good quality chocolate chip.

Cacao is a real superfood – packed with antioxidants – it helps the body resist damage. Dark chocolate has a stronger flavour – and raw cacao paste is pretty bitter – but that’s the flavanols you’re tasting, which may help in protecting your heart from disease. So, in a way – it’s a different kind of bitter-sweet 🙂

You’ll be surprised when you first make this. The batter is really thick and you’ll think it can’t possibly work. But when you add the water-rich zucchini – it all comes together like magic.

TIP: I’ve tried this recipe a few ways – and I think it comes out more moist, when you chop up the zucchini into teeny tiny pieces. Go ahead and shred it first (do peel it), and then chop it smaller with a knife. What happens, I think, is that it melts into the cake – making it much more moist than if you just add in large shredded pieces…

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

adapted from: LunchLady
ingredients (makes a decent, small size cake):
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup sugar (3/4 cup if you like it sweet)
- 1/4 cup coconut or grape seed oil (grape seed oil is very neutral in flavour – but I think the coconut oil makes it richer and compliments the chocolate)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract. I scraped 1 vanilla bean.
- 1 cup peeled and shredded zucchini
- 1/2 tsp salt
- a handful chocolate chips (or cut up cacao paste if you like it dark! Use less cacao paste, or it can be too bitter.)
directions:
1. preheat your oven to 180 C
2. in a bowl, combine your oil, sugar, vanilla. It will be crumbly
3. In another bowl, mix your flour, cacao powder, and baking soda
4. Shred the zucchini then chop it up into tiny pieces. Sprinkle some sugar over it ( or don’t, but it makes sense to me)
5. Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Don’t over mix – it will be dry
6. Add in the zucchini. Like magic it will all come together
7. Add in your chocolate chips
8. Drop the batter into into a baking dish, lined with parchment paper
9. Bake for 25 minutes
Singapore Shopping Guide:
- Raw chocolate ingredients: Le Bono
- Virgin coconut oil: Where to buy coconut oil in Singapore
- The best deal on whole Vanilla Beans (a monster bag!)
- Pure vanilla extract
October 2, 2014
Learn // How to Sprout Microgreens at Home
Imagine having a supply of nutritionally dense, fresh sprouts that you can toss into salads, sandwiches, smoothies (or clearly, any other foods that begin with the letter “s“). And it’s all growing right in your own home!

If you’ve been wanting to cultivate your green thumb – you’re going to love this tutorial from Cynthea of Super Farmers. She’ll show you just how easy growing your own food is.

Cynthea is completely self-taught,which you know means she’s had plenty of trials and errors! The story of my life. Ha!

But her happy obsession (you have to see her house – there are sprouts everywhere 🙂 means she’s learned how to make sprouting easy – especially for beginners.

Cynthea has her own stylish aesthetic about it too – sprouting in bowls, mugs and unexpected containers. Nature has become part of her home decor – which gives a fresh feeling to her space!

Whether you live in a big ol house or tiny apartment – you can absolutely have your own little farm. Just imagine how satisfied you’ll feel – from seed to salad. It must be why Cynthea always has a smile on her face! Let’s join her 🙂

How to Sprout Microgreens at Home

tools needed:
- container – more on that below
- seeds – buy good quality seeds from a health food store. Also Cynthea supplies seeds through Super Farmers
- soil – good quality, peat moss soil from a nearby nursery
- time – depending on the seed it can take up to 14 days. Look on the seed packet and it will tell you.
Step 1. Prepare your container

Cynthea explained that we need to make sure the soil has good drainage. So when choosing a container, look for something that you can poke holes into. You can use potting containers – but we like to find ways to repurpose what’s around us!

What container works best? You can repurpose any plastic food container – like egg carton or berry carton from the supermarket. Cardboard does work, but it will start to break down with waterings. In a future tutorial with Cynthea, we can go more into how to sprout in solid containers like ceramic bowls. But, for now, keep it simple and start with a plastic produce or egg container.

Step 2. Add Your Soil

All the pros I speak to agree – that the quality of your plants, depends on your soil! Go for good quality soil that will feed your sprouts and help them thrive. It makes gardening easier on you! Cynthea recommends that you use peat moss. It’s pure, has a good PH and ideal minerals.

once you’ve filled your container – give the soil a good watering until it’s moist to the touch. You’ll then be ready to plant your seeds! I told you it was easy! 🙂

Step 3. Plant Your Seeds

What kind of seeds should you plant? Anything you like to eat! Cynthea says that some of the easier sprouts to grow are: snow pea shoot, sunflower shoots, radish microgreens, greens like bak choy, chinese kale (Kai lan) and basil microgreens. You have plenty of options!

Sprinkle the seeds over the soil. If they are big like these snow peas, spacing them out evenly with a bit more room.

Step 4. Cover them Up

Give your seeds a nice cozy blanket, with a light covering of soil. You want to make sure they’re not exposed, but don’t bury them – about 1 cm of soil will do. Then give them another good watering and you’re done!

If you’re using something with a lid, you can even cover them until they begin to sprout and break through the soil. At that point, you can use the lid as a tray, underneath the container.

In about 14 days, this egg carton will be bursting with snow pea shoots, which Cynthea will happily enjoy! Soon, that will be you!

Common Questions on Sprouting:

How often do you water your sprouts?

Give them a sprinkling of water everyday. You don’t want to saturate them, but make sure the soil is always maintained moist. Don’t pour too hard, you don’t want the water to disrupt the soil and expose the seed.

PRO TIP: Cynthea repurposes a plastic water bottle and pokes holes through the cap to squeeze out a light, even watering.

When can you harvest them?

It depends on what you’ve planted – the seed packet should tell you. It’s usually up to 14 days, or when the sprouts reach 2-3 inches tall.

Will they grow again?

No. Once you harvest them, it’s time to start the process again.

Personally, I think it’s a little easier this way. Your goal is not to keep this plant alive… forever! Sprouting is a low-fuss situation – with a clear beginning and end.

PRO TIP: You can reuse the same soil 2-3 times to sprout new seeds. Pick out the roots and refresh with a bit of new soil. You’re ready to replant again!

What do you think – will you give it a try? It’s too easy not to and it’s such a beautiful project to have in your home. I think that you’ll feel so proud of yourself when you harvest your first crop and enjoy the best tasting sprout you’ve ever had!!

I’m so happy to have a friend like Cynthea to teach me cool things – and now you do too! Check out her workshops or website, Super Farmers – and begin your journey into sprouting!
September 30, 2014
10 Amazing Raw Desserts + A Giveaway
A few years back, I developed this little habit that wasn’t doing me any good: I ate an entire fruit & nut chocolate bar, every single night after dinner. This lasted for weeks! Of course I wouldn’t let myself keep a bunch of chocolate in the house – no way – I would wait until the craving got really bad, around 7pm, and then beg my husband to walk with me to the neighbourhood shop, feeling guilty along the way. Food should not be eaten that way. Obviously once in a while a treat is fine, but when I like something (and tell me if this happens to you) I can get obsessed and want to eat it everyday. Happily I found something new and healthy to obsess over!

When I discovered raw desserts, it completely blew my mind! Everything I felt about chocolate changed…

Raw desserts are made without the refined sugars, refined flour or dairy – they’re made with whole foods that are really good for you! They are utterly delicious. The taste of real cacao – dark, rich – unprocessed – tastes like nothing else! I realised that I can look forward to and truly enjoy my evening treat. It’s not that I’ve had to give anything up, I’ve just upgraded my dessert with something that’s better for me and honestly far more delicious.

Today I’m sharing my top 10 favourite raw chocolate treats – recipes that I’ve tried and loved. And because I want you to have the chance to make these awesome desserts at home, I’ll be giving away a bundle of ingredients for you to get started. Sounds good? Have a look, try not to drool – pick your favorites and enter the giveaway below! Here’s to eating food that we can savour and feel our best!

(psst… want to skip to the giveaway? click here)

1. Ecstatic Chocolate Bar

This chocolate bar is sweetened with dates and you can play with the flavours and toppings.

Grab the recipe: My New Roots

2. Peanut Butter Cheesecake

I can’t believe this is good for you! Peanut butter, chocolate…cheesecake! There’s no sacrificing here.

Grab the recipe: Create N Plate

3. Raw Almond Joys/Mounds Bars/Bounty Balls

The great thing about a dessert like this is that it’s so full in flavour and dense in nutrients – that you can eat just one or two of these and your body feels satisfied.

Grab the recipe here: Top With Cinnamon

4. Raw Chocolate Tart

If you like your desserts creamy, you’ll love this one! For me, I love the hazelnut crust – so good.

Grab the recipe here: Pure and Simple

5. Chocolate Cheesecakes

This is like a morph of the peanut butter cheesecake and the chocolate tart. But it’s in a pot, so it’s a totally different experience. You’ll see that raw desserts are often the same ingredients, just prepared in different ways – which makes it easy actually.

Grab the recipe here: The Bojon Gourmet

6. Raw Bounty Bars

I can’t imagine you can look at these and not feel happy. I think this is one of my favourites.

Grab the recipe here: My New Roots

7. Superfood Nut Butter Cups

These are delicious, really easy to make. If you like Reeses peanut butter cups, you’ll never look back. I know, because it happened to me 🙂

Grab the recipe here: My New Roots

8. Raw Brownie Bites

This was it, the first recipe that started it all! I would sit with my friend in the kitchen – and we’d eat them in complete awe at how something this wholesome could taste so good.

Grab the recipe: Little Green Dot

9. Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Breakfast

If you wake up with a sweet tooth, try this chocolatey breakfast cup. Don’t worry, it’s all good!

Grab the recipe: Oh She Glows

10. Healthy Chocolate Shake

This is something that blends up quickly, it’s great for an afternoon snack – it fills you up, it’s really satisfying and you’ll find that you don’t crave junk throughout the day.

Grab the recipe: Little Green Dot

Look, if you want the real deal: save it for when you come across that quality, most delicious dessert – don’t waste it on cheap chocolates. For the rest of it, you’ll find that a raw dessert will satisfy that sweet tooth and leave you feeling your best.

Now, I have a bundle of ingredients to give away so you can get started making your own!

September’s RAW Chocolate Ingredients Bundle

I love giveaways!! This month, you can win a bundle of all the ingredients you need to make any of the desserts you’ve just seen. High quality natural and organic cacao butter, raw cacao powder and lots more. Check out everything you can win!

The giveaway is open to 25 countries and it’s super-simple to enter:
- Sign up for the weekly Little Green Dot newsletter and get 1 chance to win
- Don’t forget to confirm your subscription in your email (because we hate spam!)
- Get bonus chances by following Little Green Dot on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram
- Already following Little Green Dot? Awesome – you get free chances just by entering your details.
- The contest will run until the end of September and then we’ll pick a winner! Good luck!
Click to view the giveaway!
September 16, 2014
Super Toast for Breakfast
For the first years of marriage, my husband and I ate buttered toast every single morning. Not because we were lazy or boring – we just love toast. It wasn’t necessarily great for our energy levels or our waistlines though. Now that we eat mostly green shakes and healthy breakfasts, we can see the difference that breakfast choices make.

I think breakfast is more than just the food you eat – it can be a daily ritual, your time to lay down healthy intentions for yourself. When you start the day by making the choice to feel your best, it sets the tone for a good day.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of toast – but our version of it has gotten an upgrade! Check out these three Super Toast recipes – they’re easy to make, delicious and with ingredients that will leave you feeling your best. I really hope that you give them a try!

Without question you want to use the best bread available to you – sprouted breads, Ezekiel bread or a beautiful fresh loaf from a good baker. Or try this recipe to make your own 5 minute bread! That’s your base – now we add colors….

Here are 3 ideas I think you’ll love!

Avocado Smash

Have you tried nutritional yeast? It’s an odd ingredient – it’s deactivated yeast. Sounds like space food – but it’s actually incredibly delicious and a good source of B12. It has a bit of a cheesy flavour, I use it in my cheesy kale chips recipe.

ingredients:
- avocado
- chili flakes
- nutritional yeast
- salt & pepper
method:
- mash half an avocado and smear it on your bread. Sprinkle your toppings on!
the Better PB&J

Chia jam is too easy not to try! It’s ready in 15 minutes – or you can make a batch and eat it throughout the week. It’s great on toast, but also over yogurt, with some granola or any other way you could imagine eating jam. On this toast, we’re smearing it over some nut-butter, for a nutritionally dense P&J!

ingredients:
- 10 strawberries
- 1-2 tbsp honey or sweetener of choice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
(if the honey doesn’t sweeten it up enough, add a pinch of stevia or sugar rather than more honey – otherwise it can overpower the flavour a bit. Unless you like that…)

method:
- chop your strawberries in small pieces and cook them over the stove with the honey or sweetener until it breaks down, about 5 minutes. Pour into a container and add in the chia seeds. Into the fridge for about 10 minutes, or until it sets.
Looking to buy chia seed in Singapore or internationally? Check out these two great options:
- Singapore: get chia seeds delivered via Foodsterr.com. Get 10% off any order with the coupon code LGD10 at checkout.
- International: order chia seed from iHerb.com. $5 off to first-time customers, with great delivery prices (incl. to Singapore).
Tahini-Banana Bread

Tahini is ground sesame seeds, which is incredibly high in calcium. It makes a lovely spread, especially when dressed up with a little honey & spice! You can also use up your tahini to make hummus and creamy salad dressings.

ingredients:
- tahini
- cinnamon
- honey
- banana
method:
- spread tahini over toast. Drizzle plenty of honey and sprinkle on some cinnamon. Top the whole thing off with a few slices of banana.
Hope this inspired some good ideas for your next breakfast. Also check out my 3 Breakfast Bowls and you’ll be set all week. Make the choice, every morning to feel your best!
September 2, 2014
3 Breakfast Bowls // A Healthy Week Challenge
What do you think, would you be in for a bit of a challenge: one week of healthy breakfast…

I’m talking fresh spinach & roasted veggie salad on one day, maybe some quinoa, passionfruit compote and coconut milk on another – then how about a creamy green breakfast smoothie…

Who wouldn’t feel amazing, starting the days with all that good-for-you food!

But then again…who has time for all that?

I’ll tell you, with a little smart cooking, the answer is: you!

Not only are these breakfast bowls seriously delicious, you won’t believe how incredibly quick they are make. It has to be, right!

Check out the cooking tips below to help make the morning process easier on you… so that you can recapture the mornings – and feel your best all throughout the week!

Sunshine Quinoa Bowl

This recipe was inspired by the book, Whole Grains. It’s a twist on the oatmeal bowl, using quinoa instead – which works surprisingly well! Hopefully you have passionfruit handy. You could probably get away with a good passionfruit jam – I think the tropical flavours really make this recipe… or just toss in what ever fruit you have. The point is, make it! 🙂

Sunshine Quinoa Bowl
ingredients:
- coconut milk from a box or a can
- passionfruit
- honey
- flaked coconut
directions:
- prep ahead – cook a big batch of quinoa according to the packet instructions
- prep ahead – make your own passionfruit compote, just scoop it out into a pot. Add your choice of sweetener to taste and reduce over low heat until it becomes thick and jammy. About 5 minutes. You can make a larger amount and store it in the fridge for 5 days.
- serve yourself a bowl of quinoa. pour in the coconut milk like it’s a cereal.
- add your toppings, spoonfuls of passionfruit compote and coconut flakes.
- drizzle with honey to taste
- tip: you can eat this dish cold!
Roast Veggie Breakfast Salad

This is your hearty, I’ve had a rough night – a long day ahead – I need some serious nourishment meal. This salad bowl could pass for lunch or dinner – but it still makes a quick breakfast. I highly recommend that you start the habit of roasting a tray of veggies every Sunday – it’s so easy to add them into your meals throughout the week.

Roast Veggie Breakfast Salad
ingredients:
- roasted veggies
- fresh spinach
- egg
- sprouts, seeds – any salad toppings you like
- dressing (try yogurt + Sriracha)
directions:
- prep ahead – roast a tray of veggies
- set an egg to boil
- fill your bowl with fresh baby spinach
- top it off with roasted veggies and your salad toppings
- place the egg on top and drizzle with your favorite dressing
- tip: try a creamy dressing of yogurt + hot sauce!
Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

This smoothie blends up in seconds and taste like something you should be eating for dessert. It’s thick like a yogurt – it’s fresh and full of healthy fat, protein and potassium to keep your body fuelled and your mind alert!

Breakfast Smoothie Bowl
ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1/2 avocado
- juice from 1/2 lemon
directions:
- blend your ingredients together until creamy
- top it off with some crunchy coconut flakes
- tip: slice pieces of pear or persimmon to use like an edible spoon!
What do you think? Are you in? Let’s recapture the mornings so that we can all feel our best, and be our best!

Here’s Jolin tucking into the Roasted Veggie Breakfast Salad. We demolished all three bowls…. 🙂
August 14, 2014
A new kind of lunch experience
I recently had the opportunity to help the Secret Chef (whose name I can’t reveal 🙂 organize one of his underground lunches. He created these experimental, pop-up lunches to celebrate the way food can bring people together. Driven by a belief that “great ideas are discussed over meals and great relationships are built around tables”, he’s now finding a community of people who seem to agree!

When the Secret Chef secures a new location, he sends out an open invitation ( sign up so you can join the next one ) for anyone to attend. He then shows up with his portable sous-vide equipment, cooks up these incredible meals and feeds the crowd. The food is quality, but it’s such a different experience than going to a restaurant – there’s a real buzz in the air. Volunteers are working together – slicing, garnishing and serving beautiful plates of food. People are showing up from all over the place, everyone is chatting, connecting and I just love that kind of energy so much. I think it makes communities interesting, it brings like-minded people together and good things always come from that!

Two sponsors pitched in to help make this event happen. Sabine’s Baskets provided fresh, local produce and the Barbie Girls provided ethical, sustainable meat. They both offer a home delivery service that you should definitely check out.

Because the ingredients used for this meal are all fully traceable, our meals came with a story. The animals, the farms they lived on and the quality of their life. It’s funny because it really got the crowd talking – some loved it, some felt weird about seeing what they were eating, but the point is that everyone connected with the source of their food and that’s really important!

For me, I ate with a happy heart. Everything was sourced with love, made with love. It brought us all together and I made new friends that day. I love that people like the Secret Chef, are creating these experiences for us. If you’re in Singapore, check out the Secret Cooks Club so that you can join in on the next one. If you’re not, see what’s happening in your city and get involved!
- Get fresh, local produce delivered to your home: Sabine’s Baskets
- Get ethical, free-range meat delivered to your door: The Barbie Girls
- Get in on the secret – join the next lunch: Secret Cook’s Club
photography: Jeff Samaniengo for Little Green Dot
August 1, 2014