Weightloss smoothie recipes

Berry passion

• ½ cup strawberries
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 1 cup raw spinach
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup water

Vegetable Hakka Noodles

Ingredients:

• 2tbsp olive oil
• Ching's noodles - 1
• 2tbsp Ching's schezwan sauce
• 2tbsp Ching's chilli sauce
  
• 2tsp Vinegar
• 2tbsp soy sauce

Vegetable list:

• 1 Green pepper, thin sliced
• 1 Medium size onion, thin sliced
• 1 carrot, finely grated
• 1/4th piece of cabbage, finely grated
• 1/2 cup of frozen corn
• 1/3rd cup of chopped cilantro
• 3 spring onions finely chopped

Method:

• Boil the noodles separately in the water and remove when 70% cooked.
• Remove hot water and then fill the bowl with cold water, let the noodle sit in it.
• Heat oil in a wok, at high temperature
• Add onion, cabbage, carrot and green pepper. Stir fry for 2-3 mins.
• Add corn and stir fry again for 2mins.
• Whisk all the sauces together and optional add 2tsp honey. 
• Add the sauce mixture in the stir fry mixture and sprinkle some salt. 
• Add the noodles and fry for few more mins. 
• Turn off the heat and add chopped cilantro and spring onion.

Broccoli and Brussel sprouts stir fry

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Broccoli, cut in small florets
• 2 cups of Brussel sputs, cut in halves
• 1 cup of Green beans, cut in halves
• 2tbsp of Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of Chilli sauce or schezwan sauce
• 1 tsp Garlic, mashed
• 2 tsp Honey
• 2tbsp Olive oil

Method:

• Heat a pan or wok at medium high, add olive oil.
• Add cut broccoli, brussel sprouts and stir fry for 2-3 mins.
• Add green beans and stir for 2 more mins.
• Meanwhile, whisk all the sauces and garlic in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle some himalayan salt on the stir fried veggies.
• Add the whisked sauce and dash of water.
• Cover the wok and turn off the heat. Make sure the veggies are crisp.
• Serve it hot with the sauce left in the wok.  

Lauki juice

Ingredients:

half lauki cubed
7-8 mint leaves
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
rock salt

Method:
Blend all the ingredients with 1 glass of water. Drink juice first thing in the morning. 

Tofu and chinese vegetables soup

Ingredients:

half Zucchini
half green pepper/red pepper
2 spring onions finely chopped
baby carrots finely chopped
finely chopped garlic
brussel sprouts (4-5)
vegetable broth
small cubes of tofu

Stir fry all the veggies in olive oil and saute them for sometime. Add some soya sauce and vegetable broth. Boil it for sometime and add some salt, coriander powder. Bring it to a boil. and serve it hot. 

Garlic soup

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1 onion diced
1 celery stalk
1 potato boiled and diced
cilantro leaves
7-8 garlics roasted
Vegetable stock
milk


Method:

Sautee the onion, celery in olive oil. Add the potatoes and garlic. Add the vegetable stock and let it boil for some time. Add some salt and italian seasoning. Once the vegetables are soft add some milk. Grind or blend the soup. Add chopped cilantro leaves.

Straight from kitchen skincare tips

I came across many skincare tips straight out of your kitchen from online sources and my mom's advice. I am updating this post for that. I will keep updating this as and when I find another interesting recipe.

1. Berries and Brown sugar mask

Mash blueberries, raspberries into puree or mash it using spice grinder
Add brown sugar and make a thick paste
Add few drops of lemon juice
Apply it and leave for 5mins
wash your face with lukewarm water and continue with your skincare routine
This is for soft and radiant skin
In addition to nutrient-rich blueberries, it uses brown sugar to provide gentle exfoliation without drying, and lemon juice to brighten and soften your skin.

2. Turmeric & rosewater

Mix turmeric and enough rosewater to make a thick paste and apply on your face. This will give glow to the face. This is already part of indian tradition during weddings.

3. Turmeric & yogurt

4. Turmeric, sandalwood paste, yogurt

This is a good mask for acne-prone skin. Take ½ teaspoon sandalwood powder and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder. Combine these two powders with 2 tablespoons curd until you get a smooth paste. Apply this gently on pimples and lie down for at least 20 minutes. Wash this off with warm water. Finally splash on some cold water, dry your skin and apply a suitable moisturizer.

5. Banana mask for dry skin

    Mash some ripe banana pieces with honey using a spice grinder
    Add drops of lemon juice
    Apply on your face and leave it for 5mins
    Ideal for dry skin

6. Avacado, honey for dry skin

- 1/2 Avocado

- 1/4 cup of warm honey

Smash avocado in bowl then stir in honey. Mix well. Apply on face, leave on for 10 minutes.

Avacado helps in fighting dryness and treats eczema. Use left over mask for your hair.

7. Strawberries and honey for acne

Mash 3 strawberries and 2 tsp of raw honey.
Mix them well and apply on your face. After 10mins wash it off.

Strawberry has anti acne ingredient that cleans off the pores and gets rid of blackheads. It is a natural exfoliant. The anti bacterial properties in honey helps in reducing breakouts and healing current flair ups. It locks in necessary moisture to keep skin hydrated.

8. Yogurt and honey for acne
 Mix 1tsp of yogurt with raw honey and apply it on your face. After 10mins wash it off and apply face lotion and serum.

9. Berries for glowing skin
Mash up 8 blackberries and 10 raspberries using a spice grinder
Add 5-6 drops of fresh orange juice
Add enough powdered brown sugar to make a thick paste 

Apply on your skin and massage well for 5-7 minutes. Let sit for another 10 minutes
Wash off with lukewarm water and apply your favorite serum/lotion.

10. Oats and honey for oily skin

oily skin: coarsely ground oats, cinnamon powder, apple cider vinegar and honey. Make a paste n apply on face n neck fr 15 mins. Initially u may feel tingling due to d vinegar...but it helps to shrink d pores

11. Avacado and apricot kernel for dry skin
1tsp apricot kernel oil, 1tbsp avacado mashed
combine the ingredients and make a smooth paste. It is useful for dry and itchy skin. Apply the mask on the face and leave it for 20mins. Wash your face with lukewarm water.

12. Oatmeal, honey and papaya mask for dry skin
1Tbsp oatmeal, 1Tsp honey and 1Tbsp ripe papaya. Mash all the ingredients and make smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face for 15mins and wash it off with water. 


13. Almond oil and honey for acne. Mix few drops of almond oil and few drops of honey. Apply this mixture on the effected area and wash it off.

14. Almond oil + rosehip oil for dry skin and acne problems.

15. For soothing skin. 1 TSP instant coffee +
1/2 tsp powdered brown sugar +
enough aloe vera juice to make a thick paste
Apply on your skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water. Follow with serum/lotion.

16. For brightening the skin

1 TSP milk powder +
1/2 tsp powdered brown sugar +
enough aloe vera juice to make a thick paste
Apply on your skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

Vegetable pasta soup

Ingredients:
Pasta shells
pasta sauce
onion finely chopped
Vegetable broth
Boiled broccoli, beans
Olive oil


Method:
In a saucepan, put some olive oil, fry onion.
Add boiled vegetables and let them cook for few mins
Now add the pasta sauce stir for couple of times
Add the vegetable broth, some water and pasta shells
Cook the pasta shells separately before adding them here.

Garnish the soup with parmesan cheese. 

Cucumber and avocado salad

Cut Cucumber into thin slices
cut avocado in cubes
Add cherry tomatoes

Toss it with the italian dressing.

Potato, broccoli curry

Ingredients:

• 1 Potato cut into cubes
• 1/2 red pepper cut into thin slices
• 6-8 cherry tomatoes
• 1 broccoli stem, cut into individual florets
• 1/2 cup of Paneer or Tofu cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp Paneer masala, 1tbsp red chilly powder
• 1tbsp garlic-ginger paste
• Salt accd to taste

Method:

• In the pan, add olive oil, Jeera, turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste.
• Add potatoes, red peppers and fry for 4-5mins. Add salt and fry.
• Add broccoli and fry for some more time. Add some water and cover the pan. 
• After 4-5mins add tofu, cherry tomatoes and cook for more time
• Add red chilly powder and masala and cook for some time until broccoli, potato are tender.

Broccoli and Potato soup

Ingredients:

one small potato
1stalk, broccoli
2stalks celery
Milk, 1 cup
Green chillies/pepper half cup
Garlic 3 cloves
Olive oil 1tbsp
salt & pepper


Method:
Boil the veggies in a pan until they are soft.
Once they are soft grind them together until they are little coarse. Add some milk, salt, pepper and grind again.

In a pan heat some olive oil, add garlic cloves, green pepper and fry for sometime. Add the grinded liquid and heat for sometime.

Add some cream or butter for rich taste!

Veggie bean burritos low calorie

Ingredients:
2-3 whole wheat tortillas or chappatis
2-3 tbsp sour cream or yogurt
mild salsa
tomato sauce
black beans, soaked and pressure cooked
2-3 garlic cloves
2tbsp olive oil
cumin seeds
cumin powder

Ingredients for Salsa:
3 medium tomatoes finely chopped
5-6 green chillies finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
5-6 stems of coriander leaves, finely chopped
lemon juice
black pepper

Preparation for Salsa:
Mix all the veggies in a bowl, sprinkle lemon juice as much as desired. Add black pepper powder and mix well.

Preparation for Burritos:
In a skillet add some olive oil, add cumin seeds and garlic. After 2mins add pressure cooked beans and add some salt and cumin powder. Mix and mash it. Keep it aside.

Warm the tortilla and keep it on a plate. In the center, add bean sprouts, add mild salsa, add sour cream, tomato sauce. Add some chopped lettuce. Fold the tortilla as shown in the image and you can have it for some nice protein lunch!

P.S this recipe has also been posted at IndusWomanWriting.

Vegetable Brown rice

Ingredients:
Broccoli fresh, 1 spear
Zucchini 0.5cup chopped
Celery, 1 stalk, chopped
baby carrots, 10 medium
Green peppers, 0.5cup chopped
Olive oil, 2tbsp
red chilli powder

For rice:
Brown rice 2cups
Salt

Method:
Cook brown rice in a rice cooker. Add drops of oil, salt

For mixed veggies:
Heat olive oil in a pan, add green peppers, red peppers, zucchini, celery, carrots, broccoli. Fry and toss it.
Add some chilli powder and little bit of salt. Cook on a medium flame for sometime.

Once the rice is cooked add mix veggies on the top and serve.
You can add soy sauce for taste.

Nutritional info:

vegetable fried rice (brown)
3 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories		270.7
Total Fat		10.9 g
	Saturated Fat	1.7 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	1.0 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	6.7 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		2,395.3 mg
Potassium		486.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate		40.3 g
	Dietary Fiber	5.9 g
	Sugars	1.5 g
Protein		4.7 g

Vitamin A	171.6 %
Vitamin B-12	0.0 %
Vitamin B-6	16.1 %
Vitamin C	181.0 %
Vitamin D	0.0 %
Vitamin E	9.1 %
Calcium	3.5 %
Copper	5.3 %
Folate	10.4 %
Iron	8.1 %
Magnesium	6.4 %
Manganese	12.5 %
Niacin	5.3 %
Pantothenic Acid	2.3 %
Phosphorus	5.5 %
Riboflavin	4.9 %
Selenium	1.6 %
Thiamin	5.6 %
Zinc	2.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Vegetarian Lettuce wraps

Ingredients:
1cup zuccini, sliced
1/2 cup green peppers, chopped
1/2 cup red peppers, chopped
11/2 cup beans sprouts, cooked
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/2 cup onions, sliced
2tsp lemon juice

2tsp olive oil
3tsp balsemic vinegar
10 fresh bibs of lettuce, washed

Method:

Heat olive oil in a pan, add zuccini, peppers and onion. Stir until they are still crunchy.
Add bean sprouts to the oil. Keep them aside. In a bowl add drops of olive oil, balsemic vinegar and lemon juice. Mix them. 

In the lettuce leaf, add the stir fried vegetables in the center, add shredded carrots and dressing. Roll the wrap and its ready to eat. you can add some rice crispies to get the crisp taste. 

Cherry tomatoes and beans salad!

Ingredients:

1 15-ounce cans of white beans, such as Great Northern or canelli beans, drained and rinsed
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup coarsely chopped parsley

Dressing ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 3-inch sprig of fresh rosemary
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup of lemon juice

Directions:

1 In a bowl add Parmesan cheese,pepper, olive oil, balsemic vinegar few drops and whisk them gently.
3 In a medium bowl, gently put the beans and dressing. Let sit for a few minutes for the beans to absorb. Gently mix in the cherry tomatoes, and parsley.

Tropical surprise

Fruits:

1 Kiwi

3/4 cup cut pineapple

3-4 small oranges

3/4th cup blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

Method:

Blend all these fruits in a blender until they become juice

Extract the juice from the blender

If needed add crushed ice while blending.

I have posted this recipe on IndusWomenWriting.

Spinach and Pear salad

This is a tasty combination of Spinach and Pear. Lets see how the recipe is:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pears, cored and sliced
1 cup of fresh spinach leaves

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, honey, and black pepper.
2. In large bowl, add the pear slices and 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
3. Add remaining dressing and spinach and toss the salad.
4. Sprinkle some soft cheese or parmesan cheese as dressing

You can try adding Avocados, red onion thin sliced.

Cabbage Rice

Ingredients:

For Rice:

2 cups of basmati rice

4 cups of water

pinch of salt

1Tsp oil

For Gravy:

2 Tbl spoon of canola oil

1/4 tsp asefoetida (hing)

1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red chilly powder(according to taste)

2 tsp pulav masala

1 tablespoon finely grinded ginger

2-3 green cardomom pods

2-3 bay leaves

salt according to taste

Vegetables:

2 cups of cabbage finely chopped

1 green bell pepper finely chopped

1/2 red bell pepper finely chopped

1/2 cup frozen green peas

1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves

2 tomatoes finely chopped

Method:

1. Wash rice with water couple of times and soak it aside for 10mins.

2. Add oil, salt in the rice with some water and keep it in a rice cooker for cooking

Vegetable and gravy:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds until they splutter. Cook on a medium flame.

2. Add ginger, turmeric, chopped green and red bell pepper, mix it well for 2-3 minutes. Add cardomom pods and bay leaves and mix well. Put the green peas soaked in water if they are frozen

3. Add chopped cabbage and mix it well for 5-7 minutes until they become tender and mix well.

4. Add chopped tomatoes, green peas and coriander leaves and leave it for 5-7 mintues. Cover the pan with a lid.

5. Now add red chilly powder, pulav masala and salt. mix well the vegetables until they cook evenly.

6. Now you can turn it off if the rice is not yet cooked, other wise add the cooked rice in the gravy and mix well.

7. You can have it with yogurt or chutney.

8. You can garnish the rice with drops of lemon juice if needed.

I have posted this recipe on IndusWomanWriting.