Hi all!

Welcome to Day 21 of my 31 Day Blogging Challenge! I’m on the home stretch! In light of yesterday’s darker post, today will be much less serious in tone. I’m going to share my 10 favourite foods! This wasn’t easy, as I love so many of them! Get ready for sexy food photography and tummy rumbles!

1.) OATS 

Oats are my favourite things to eat for breakfast. I usually soak them in water overnight, then top them with fruit, maple syrup and cinnamon the next day. On weekends, I’ll cook them in plant milk and make a big warm bowl of oatmeal. I also love putting them in the food processor (with chopped dates) and making granola to put on nice cream!

2.) BLUEBERRIES 

Yes, blueberries are one of my favourite fruits and make a daily appearance in my food. They are rich in Omega-3’s and very good for your kidneys. I put them on oats, eat them on their own, blend them frozen to make smoothies/nice cream and as pictured, love them in desserts!

3.) RASPBERRIES 

Let’s take a moment to appreciate how yummy this breakfast looks. Banana nice cream, mixed with carob powder and topped with raspberries (plus my oat granola – mentioned above). Raspberries are also super foods for kidneys. I can’t decide if I love them more than blueberries or about the same. Either way, I eat them regularly!

4.) PURPLE JAPANESE SWEET POTATOES 

If you haven’t tried a purple sweet potato before, get on it! They are so much better than regular sweet potatoes. You can buy them purple on the outside and white on the inside or vice-versa. I chop mine in half, wrap both halves in foil and bake for an hour in the oven. Once cooked, I split them open and eat with lots of greens. They are so filling and delicious!

5.) RICE 

Man, do I love rice. I eat rice every single day. I eat basmati & brown rice, typically with legumes and lots of potatoes. It feels good to be full and satiated every single day. Don’t be afraid of rice. It’s so good for you! This bowl has brown rice, chickpeas, mint peas and Sriracha drizzled on top!

6.) PASTA 

Speaking of carbs, pasta is also very good for you! Our bodies run on glucose and carbohydrates, which we burn all day. As a classic Italian, pasta is my life. I have it weekly. This plate I made has nutritional yeast sprinkled on top (I will get to that) and cooked asparagus, plus cherry tomatoes. Delicious!

7.) LENTILS 

Lentils are the best! Red, green, brown – I don’t care! Lentils are high in protein, iron, fibre, calcium, zinc, potassium and more! I love making lentil sloppy joes, curries, tagines and even burgers! They are probably the most versatile legume and in my opinion, the tastiest!

8.) NUTRITIONAL YEAST 

Since becoming vegan, I’ve heard a lot of non-vegans say they could never give up cheese. Do you know why that is? Cow’s milk contains casomorphins, which is derived from the digestion of the milk protein: casein. Casomorphins have opioid effects, which exist to draw the baby calf in so it can suckle on its mother until it no longer requires her milk. Thanks to the dairy industry, the baby calf is killed immediately so it cannot suckle and the cow’s milk is turned into cheese, which becomes addictive to the humans that consume it. If you really can’t bear to part with cheese, nutritional yeast is the next best thing! It contains zero fat and is high in B-12. Sprinkle it on pasta or use it to make a ‘cheesy’ sauce. I absolutely love it.

9.) CINNAMON 

I get that cinnamon isn’t technically a food but did you know it is an aphrodisiac for women? It increases your appetite, not only physically but sexually. I won’t attest to that but I will say cinnamon and I have a special bond. I love it and put it on my oats every single morning. The smell is enticing and the taste, heavenly. It is my all time favourite spice in the world. There’s something about it that’s so warming and comforting. Do you agree?

10.) AVOCADO 

Last but not least, my beloved avocado. I cannot get enough. Whether it’s made into guacamole, smashed on toast or incorporated into desserts, I’m happiest when I’m eating it. Avocado provides a substantial amount of healthy monosaturated fats and are incredibly nutrient dense. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy this delectable fruit. It will help lower high cholesterol, which is not an issue for vegans as we consume 0% cholesterol, apart from what our bodies naturally produce.

I hope you enjoyed my post! Of course, there are many more but these are, without a doubt, my favourites. They all feature regularly in my diet and leave me feeling my best. What are your 10 favourite foods? What do you find yourself eating all the time?

See you tomorrow! Peace & Love xoxo