Hi!
Welcome to this weeks Little Gems post! Sorry I've not been very good this week with blog posts, there's been so much on I just haven't had a second. I have however, managed to take some pics for some foodie inspo for you for this week. I'm feeling like these are getting a bit repetitive so I'm trying to mix it up a little with some different variations of meals. Let me know what you think...
I am still loving my regular smoothies, but it's just getting a bit colder now :( maybe I should get back to my soups again!
Strawberry, Banana & Avocado Smoothie Bowl with Superfoods & Granola
My 'Joe & The Juice' rip off! I really can't get enough of these! They just taste of Summer... even if it is pouring it down outside!
Teriyaki Vegetables with Udon Noodles in a Vegetable Broth
I think it's time to get back onto the broths again. They can actually be super quick to make too! Yes, it's nice if you can let them boil down for a while, but if you buy a good quality, organic vegetable stock already made, you have a base for your soup right there! Then simply just add a miso soup sachet and you're pretty much god to go!
Avocado Toast with Toasted Sourdough Bread and a Balsamic Glaze
Super Tasty Mixed Vegetables
I made another broth the other night with some carrots and potatoes which was sooo good. With the left over vegetables, I quickly stir fried this little bowl of goodness! I simply fried the kale and peas and added the potatoes and carrots (which were filled with flavour from the broth) and fried them with some teriyaki sauce and pepper. It doesn't look much but it was so comforting - especially at 9:30 at night!
Spirulina Bowl with Superfoods & Granola
I've never really cooked with spirulina before (well not cooked, blended I guess!). It has a slightly minty taste and doesn't have that weird 'pond water' flavour of wheat grass. It does however have massive amount of nutrition in one scoop. It can help detox heavy metals out of the body - which is good if you like to eat a lot of fish! It can also help boost your energy levels, plus it can help prevent illnesses! So, as much as this bowl looks a bit 'Halloween' like, it can do wonders for your body, plus it tastes great too! I blended it with a frozen banana, frozen mango, strawberries, avocado and some almond milk. It tasted lovely - in fact, you could hardly taste the green gunk in it at all ha ha!
Dinner at Artisan | Spinningfields, Manchester
See the menu here
(above) Garlic Bread
(from top) Paper baked sea bass Stuffed w/ wild rice & herbs
Fries
Tuna Nicoise Salad
I've not been here in such a long time. It actually made a change and we had a really lovely night! I remember when this place first opened, I can't decide whether the choices for us in Manchester were not as good as they are now or the food is not as great. My salad was nice, just the tuna wasn't seared but pretty much cooked through. Bit of a shame, but I still enjoyed it all the same. Don't forget, if you join their membership (which is free to join), you can get 20% off your food bill! This goes for most of the Living Ventures restaurants too! Why not check it out!
The Green House Mixed Salad Plate
This was the perfect lunch for me on Saturday! I went to Adele's post Summer Yoga Detox Class and it sure did that! I feel super detoxed in fact as we had been doing it all week! The Greenhouse has the most fabulous range of veggie salads, you really must try it if you fancy a healthy treat - plus there are plenty of cakes too if you fancy a naughty one! :)
Salmon, Watercress, Avocado and Roasted Vegetable Salad
The perfect post yoga dinner! I adapted this from a Nigella recipe. The salmon is poached which makes it super soft and buttery. Then, I added roasted onions and sweet potato for some extra bite. You know me, I always need plenty to fill me up!
Plus you have to have dessert right? Ok, it was Saturday night and this is my 'healthy' chocolate pudding. Ok, so it's not super healthy, but I make it with coconut oil and coconut sugar which are slightly better for us than butter and castor sugar. Plus the vegan chocolate doesn't have any nasties in either. Oh, it's also a dairy and gluten free pud and had anti oxidant raspberries on the side... can I get away with it yet??
Sunday morning required a BIG bowl of porridge. After all that detoxing, I was feeling a little worse for wear to say the least! This seemed to sort out my tum. However, I was so sleepy for the rest of the day I literally had an avocado for my dinner and then went to bed! I'm sure I will be fighting fit again though by tomorrow!
How was your week?
Thanks so much for reading,
Big love,