Category: A to Z Challenge 2016

A to Z Challenge 2016 – Reflections and afterthoughts

A-to-Z Reflection [2016]
 
Oh my god, April was a whirlwind month, wasn’t it? Those of you who took up the daily blogging challenge and finished it unscathed, take a bow – you all are super! The A to Z Challenge taught me one thing for sure – if you have decided on something you can do it, anyhow!
 
I was taking part in the challenge from both of my blogs. Sharing healthy recipes here and sharing a series of anecdotes from my life in The Sunny Side of Life. So it was fifty two posts for me. I am happy that I survived and finished the challenge. 
 
 
But I was not the only one participating from two blogs. I was visiting regularly at least two more people who did this awesome job of participating from two blogs and they all finished it in one piece! Rajlakshmi Boruah from Destiny’s Child and Twinkle Eyed Traveller and Shalini Nair from Tale of Two Tomatoes and Something’s Cooking you rock girls.

Zingy Watermelon Lemonade

watermelon lemonade, summer drink, healthy drink, sugar free drink

Zingy Watermelon Lemonade – Perfect for the summer

 
Summer and watermelon goes hand in hand. So does lemonade. So why not make a zingy combo?
 
That’s exactly what I did this evening so get respite from the heat. And because it’s clicked in the evening in artificial light the photos aren’t that bright. So please excuse!
 
watermelon lemonade, summer drink, healthy drink, sugar free drink
Soothing and Beautiful
 
Ohh my god, the A to Z challenge 2016 is over already. I am little overwhelmed with the fact that I finished it without going nuts. Finishing the challenge from two blogs with a tiny infant at home is a challenge in itself! So a pat on my back from myself first!

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GLUTEN FREE YOGURT OATMEAL PANCAKES

Yogurt and Oats Pancakes, oats pancake, gluten free pancake recipe

The gluten free yogurt oatmeal pancakes are my go to recipe on a busy day. These gluten free, sugar free and butter free yogurt and oatmeal pancakes are so hearty, healthy yet yummy. Easy blender pancakes ready under 15 mins.

You already know I am going crazy with oats and trying out varieties currently. I made this yogurt and oatmeal pancakes for breakfast today which turned out pretty nice. I love pancakes for breakfast – they are hearty and keeps you full for a long time.

Its gluten free, sugar free, has no butter – so it’s super duper healthy.

Yogurt and Oats Pancakes, oats pancake, gluten free pancake recipe

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XPRESS SANDWICH

xpress-sandwich2-1
 
 
 
I was running late this morning. After my bub’s up there’s no way I can do anything else. All my time is for him. But I had to make a quick yet healthy breakfast for myself. Thus came the Xpress Sandwich.
 
Done in under five minutes and was oh so yum
 
 
 
XPRESS SANDWICH
 
Prep Time
Cook Time
Total Time
 2 min
    3 min
5 min
 
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Serves: 1
Recipe By: Tina Basu
 
INGREDIENTS
 
 
  1. Multigrain Bread – 2 slices
  2. Egg – 1
  3. Salt & Pepper – to taste
  4. Milk – 2 teaspoon
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
 
  • Break an egg, add seasoning, milk and mix
  • In a griller put bread slices one over the other
  • Pour the egg mix in a skillet to make an omelet
  • Once omelet is done put it in between the toasts
  • Drizzle some Ketchup and gorge on it!
 
 
TIPS
 
If you have time – put just about anything in your omelet.
 
 
 

WATERMELON SALAD

watermelon salad, watermelon and feta salad, recipe, watermelon cucumber feta salad recipe, cold salad, summer salad, foodporn, food food, healthy eating, clean eating, healthy recipe
 
Salalds are great for the summer, aren’t they? What about a refreshing cold salad?
 
I was thinking of making yet another summer cooler today because it’s summer and hot. But then I had a change of mind because my almost 9 month old was sleeping. I didn’t want to wake him up with the roaring blender! Instead I made this gorgeous Watermelon Salad with cucumber and feta cheese.
 watermelon salad, watermelon and feta salad, recipe, watermelon cucumber feta salad recipe, cold salad, summer salad, foodporn, food food, healthy eating, clean eating, healthy recipe
 
 
It’s sweet, it’s crunchy, it’s cold – in all it is simply an awesome salad. The hint of salt from the feta cheese and the beautiful honey and lime dressing adds all the necessary zing.
 
I am sure you will like this combination this summer! It is so soothing for the eyes!
 
watermelon salad, watermelon and feta salad, recipe, watermelon cucumber feta salad recipe, cold salad, summer salad, foodporn, food food, healthy eating, clean eating, healthy recipe

WATERMELON SALAD
Recipe Type: Salad
Cuisine: Asian
Author: Tina Basu
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
An easy refreshing salad – perfect for the summer. It’s bright, it’s beautiful and its crunchy.
Ingredients
  • Watermelon – ½ a melon, peeled, de-seeded and diced
  • Cucumber – 1 peeled and diced
  • Feta Cheese – ¼ cup crumbled
  • Pepper – to taste
  • Honey – 1 tablespoon
  • Lemon juice – 2 tablespoon
  • Coriander Leaves – ½ teaspoon chopped
Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl place diced watermelon and cucumber
  2. Mix honey, lemon, pepper in a small bowl and drizzle over the watermelon
  3. Sprinkle crumbled feta and coriander leaves on top and mix
  4. Serve as it is
Notes
This salad is great for an evening snack[br]This one doesn’t require any accompaniment

 

Hey let me know if you liking the clean eating theme and the clean recipes! Would love to hear from you.

***
This post is written for the A to Z Challenge 2016 for Day 23 Letter W. Visit A to Z, BlogChatter to read other beautiful bloggers!

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VERY REFRESHING MANGO & BANANA SMOOTHIE

mango banana smoothie, smoothie recipe, blender smoothie, healthy smoothie
This Mango & Banana Smoothie is refreshing and yummy with the much needed dose of health. Plus it has no added sugar.
 
It’s summers in India which also means it’s the time to gorge on the king of fruits – Mangoes. I picked up some fresh mangoes from the local market a day back and we have been making this refreshing cool drink quite often now.

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ULTRA-HEALTHY OATS AND BANANA COOKIES

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I am going bonkers over Oats these days. Made these Ultra Healthy Oats and Banana cookies the other day and they turned out super yum.

 
 They are gluten free, butter free, sugar free – super duper healthy, I say!
 
All the sweetness comes from bananas topped with goodness of walnuts and raisins. And this is really what I call clean eating – no chocolate chip in my cookie and yet they are yumtastic!
 
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I used to hate oats at one time – yeah really hate oats – I felt it tastes like vomit. That was when I was sticking to only making porridge! But when I started experimenting with oats I got to know how good and tasty it can be. And how many wonderful things you can make out to oats!

Here’s how I made these Ultra-Healthy Oats and Banana cookies!

gluten free cookies, oats and banana cookies, oats cookies, recipe, healthy cookie recipe, clean eating, breakfast cookie

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This post is written for the A to Z Challenge 2016 for Day 21 Letter U. Visit A to Z, BlogChatter to read other beautiful bloggers!
ULTRA-HEALTHY OATS AND BANANA COOKIES
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: International
Author: Tina Basu
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 9 cookies
Gluten free, butter free, sugar free – the ultra healthy oats cookies for you
Ingredients
  • Banana – 2 medium sized ripe bananas
  • Rolled Oats – 1 cup
  • Milk – 1/8 cup
  • Walnut – few chopped
  • Raisin – ¼ cup chopped
  • Cooking spray /little oil for greasing
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat Oven to 350F/ 220C
  2. Mash the bananas in a bowl
  3. Add oats, milk and chopped dried fruits and mix with a spoon
  4. Line the baking tray with a greased baking paper
  5. Spoon out the dough in equal parts on the baking sheet
  6. Flatten the dough with the back of the spoon or fingers – these cookies are not going to rise up.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or till cookies are done!
Notes
You can add any kind of dried fruits – nuts, pecans even dates

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TANGY CUCUMBER AND LETTUCE SALAD BOWL

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It is super-hot outside and there’s nothing better than the cool cucumber slices to bring some relief. The Tangy Cucumber and Lettuce Salad Bowl is the right accompaniment in every meal this summer.
 
The sight of it is so refreshing and cooling to the eyes that you feel happy. I am eating clean this entire April because a. it’s my theme for the month b. I don’t feel like eating anything spicy or sweet or anything. If I could simply survive on juices and water I would probably do that now!
 
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We did have some rain yesterday which was a big relief. Find out my Tangy Cucumber and Lettuce Salad Bowl which is perfectly summer ready!
 
 salad recipe, cucumber and lettuce salad, tangy cucumber and lettuce salad, cucumber and salad recipe, healthy recipe, clean eating, low cal recipe, salads, foodporn
 
 
 

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Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

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Do you like sweet potato? No? D you like carrots? No? They are tasteless? What if I tell you they taste yum in the Sweet Potato and Carrot soup. Believe me, it was a yum mild warm soup and totally healthy.
 
Seriously, I never liked sweet potato but I have some in my refrigerator because I give that to my son sometimes. So I thought why not make a soup for myself for my healthy eating month.
sweet-potato-and-carrot-soup

sweet-potato-and-carrot-soup

HEALTH BENEFIT
 
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which is also found in carrots 

They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6. 

They provide potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and phosphorus.

I am using extra virgin olive oil and no butter

 sweet-potato-and-carrot-soup
 
 
Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
Recipe Type: Soup
Cuisine: British
Author: Tina Basu
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 bowls
Ingredients
  • Sweet Potato – 1 sliced
  • Carrot – 1 chopped length wise
  • Red Onion – 1 diced
  • Garlic – few cloves minced
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Salt & Pepper – to taste
  • Dried Oregano – 1 teaspoon
  • Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon
  • Dried Sage – 1 teaspoon
  • Vegetable stock – 150 ml
  • Milk – 50ml
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a deep sauce pan
  2. Fry onion and garlic till translucent
  3. Add sweet potato and carrot and stir
  4. Add herbs and seasoning
  5. Add the stock and let it boil
  6. Cover and cook till vegetables are tender
  7. Add milk
  8. Blend and serve warm
Notes
You could add some mushrooms also with the onions – it will add a nice taste and thicken the soup

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This post is written for the A to Z Challenge 2016 for Day 19 Letter S. Visit A to Z, BlogChatter to read other beautiful bloggers!

ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD

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Okay, now we are at twinklingtinacooks.com

Roasted vegetable salad is perfect for a filling lunch or quick supper. Potato, leek, carrots, cauliflower you can add vegetables of your choice. Ready under 35 mins.

 
Vegetables tend to get boring for me. Specially if you are having a curry – that’s like the go to recipe of most Indian households. There are tonnes of variations of a vegetable curry, though. But I wanted to enjoy vegetables in a better way. Thought of roasting them, for a change, and making a salad out of it! Roasted Vegetable Salad sounds interesting, isn’t it?