Smoky paprika risotto with chickpeas (and giveaway winner)

I was recently pleased to pick up some liquid smoke in the supermarket. I haven't cooked with it since we moved to the UK and have missed the option of smoky, South American style dishes. Mr Bite was less pleased as he is not a big fan of liquid smoke flavoured meals. However, sometimes I exercise the cook's prerogative and serve them to him anyway...

It is perhaps not very surprising that where I loved this dish, he just tolerated it. I am posting it anyway because I am confident that in this instance, his lukewarm attitude stems from his dislike of the ingredients. If you are kind, you probably won't give this to someone who isn't a big fan of liquid smoke or chickpeas. For everyone else - I am certain it will be enjoyable!

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Lani Muelrath's The Plant-Based Journey: Review, give away + recipe for cranberry sauce with dates and oranges

I am delighted to share this review and give away of Lani Muelrath's new book The Plant-Based Journey. Whilst there are many vegan-focused recipe books out there, this contribution stands out because it focuses more broadly on the whole lifestyle of plant-based eating. There is easily accessible science (reminiscent of The China Study but in summary form); helpful descriptions of plant-based food groups and how they can combine to give different meals; an actual meal plan example; and then both recipe templates (including customizable bases for burgers, soups and bowl meals...) and specific recipes.

Lani Muelrath has an impressive reputation as an author, speaker and teacher on plant-based and mindful living. She has a qualification in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University and is active in promoting a plant-based lifestyle in the US. In The Plant-Based Journey. she draws on her own 40-odd years of plant-based eating experience.

Cranberry sauce with dates and oranges

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Baked Quinoa Porridge or Pudding from Ricki Heller's new cookbook, Living Candida-Free,

Last year, I was fortunate to serve as one of the recipe testers for Ricki Heller's new cookbook, Living Candida-Free. Some of you may remember me sharing photos at the time. It was a busy but utterly delicious few months, and I am delighted to be able to review the book now. I am also delighted to host a give away so you can win your own copy of the book. To round things out, I am sharing one of Ricki's new  recipes today - Baked Quinoa Porridge or Pudding.

Before getting to the recipe (and give away!), let me share some general information with you about Living Candida-Free. The book tackles the challenges of managing sugar intake in today's world. I think we all know that too much sugar isn't good for us, but for some people, too much sugar (or even moderate amounts of sugar) can result in a range of physical and mental health problems that persist and worsen over time. Ricki shares her knowledge and experience around an anti-candida diet, which is designed to combat the consequences of excess sugar and allow for flavour-filled dishes without added sugars. 

The book includes recipes for three phases of eating, ranging from no sugars at all through to moderate and selective intake. The amazing thing is that even in the most conservative phase, Ricki manages to create delicious dishes and wonderful desserts. It's not all about stevia either - she includes options for other sweeteners in many recipes. Her book also talks about what candida is, and covers a range of cooking basics. Plus, every one of the 100 recipes is vegan.

Baked quinoa porridge or pudding (recipe copyright to Ricki Heller, Living Candida-Free)

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Vegan Easter recipes - and a double pass give away to Taste of Perth from Rekorderlig Cider

My last (and first!) Easter recipe round-up post was in 2012, so I think it is time for another one this year. Before doing so, though, I am delighted to host a give away from Rekorderlig Cider for a double pass to the upcoming Taste of Perth.

Rekorderlig Cider is the premium cider sponsor for this first ever Taste of Perth, on from the 2nd to 4th May at Langley Park. Providing a liquid alternative to the food and restaurant displays, Rekorderlig Cider will have a "Rekorderlig Star" bar decked out in a Swedish winter theme. On the menu will be drinks like orange-ginger cider and 'winter' cider with apples, vanilla and cinnamon. 

The Rekorderlig Star bar

Rekorderlig Cider are kindly giving away a double pass to Taste of Perth along with two complimentary Rekorderlig Cider vouchers. If you would like to enter, please leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite cider flavour or experience (if you have one) or why you'd like to go to Taste of Perth this year. The give away is open to anyone, but obviously you will need to be able to attend the event in Perth at the start of May. The competition closes on the 23rd April 2014.

Now, on to Easter recipes. I'd happily eat my way through any and all of the ideas below, and I hope you will enjoy the suggestions too. If you already have your Easter menu planned, I'd also love to hear what you're making!

Breakfast

Caramel apple French toast from PETA - An amazing way to start your day.

Meyer lemon cranberry poppyseed muffins from Eats Well With Others - Many gorgeous flavours packed into one muffin.

Plum muffins with streusel topping from Bite-Sized Thoughts - A plum-filled breakfast alternative to my recent plum and almond cake.

Sprouted wheat, date and walnut essene bread from the Orgasmic Chef - It will take a bit of advance planning, but this bread sounds worth the effort.

Plum muffins with streusel topping

Main

Citrus roasted tofu from VegKitchen- A great way to make tofu special.

Parsnip rice sushi from The Taste Space - A sweeter alternative to cauliflower rice.

Pumpkin scones with hemp seeds, nutritional yeast and herbs from Bite-Sized Thoughts - A perfect main meal accompaniment (even if I do say so myself!).

Vegetable tagine with chickpeas and raisins from BBC Good Food - A gorgeous mix of colours and vegetables.

Pumpkin scones with hemp seeds, nutritional yeast and herbs

Dessert

Mango coconut cardamom cheesecake from Sweetly Raw - While fresh mango would undoubtedly be best, I imagine you could get away with the tinned variety in this recipe.

Raw carrot cake with cashew cream cheese frosting from This Rawsome Vegan Life - Raw carrot cake is on my 'to make' list and this recipe is a strong contender for my first try.

'Spring Chick Cupcakes' from Oh She Glows - Super cute and guaranteed to appeal to adults and children alike.

Vegan flan from Hotly Spiced - Also gluten free, this is a simple but beautiful dessert.

Chocolate

Chocolates with a healthy mint filling from Green Gourmet Giraffe - I love mint-filled chocolates and this recipe sounds like a refreshing alternative to commercial Easter chocolate.

Peanut butter and caramel filled chocolate eggs from The Veggie Nook - One of my favourite Easter recipes from last year, I think it deserves highlighting again this year!

Raw chocolate hazelnut strawberry jam thumbprints from Coconut and Berries - A recent, beautiful recipe from Emma.

Tahini-filled chocolate eggs - My Easter creation from last year.

Tahini-filled chocolate eggs

What are your plans for Easter? 

And, if you're interested in the double pass to Taste of Perth, don't forget to enter below!

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Fitness Fridays - Cycling into the new year (plus blog house keeping and the winner of the Paul's warehouse voucher)

Last year, I started 2013 with a leisurely 25km bike ride. As I wrote about at the time, it was a lovely way to bring in a new year. So lovely, in fact, that I decided to repeat the experience to welcome in 2014.

I left home a little later this year than last (7.30am instead of 6.30am), which means I saw more people on my outing and didn't quite have cycle paths to myself. However, the sunshine was equally sparkling and the scenes I passed were equally beautiful.

Scarborough beach cycle path, ~8am

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Fitness Fridays giveaway! Share your 2014 aspirations to win a Paul's Warehouse voucher

You may recall me posting aspirations at the start of 2012 and again this year. I prefer 'aspirations' to 'resolutions', as I think New Year's resolutions have developed a reputation for being unrealistic and short-lived (although obviously they don't have to be). Aspirations, on the other hand, are just goals. We can set goals any time, but I like to reflect and re-focus at the start of each year.

Today, I am hoping to inspire you to start thinking about your own aspirations for the next year. The reason? I am fortunate to bring you a giveaway for a Paul's Warehouse voucher. For those of you not familiar with Paul's Warehouse, it is a family owned Australian company that offers discount sport and exercise equipment, clothing and shoes. There are no physical stores in Western Australia, but they ship Australia wide (I apologise to my non-Australian readers; they are Australia-specific) for a flat rate of $10.

With a $30 voucher, you could buy all manner of items to support whatever you want to do in 2014.

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Product review and give away: AntiOx chocolate bars

Much as I'm looking forward to sharing travel news, I am also delighted to bring you this Product Talk by Nuffnang post today, courtesy of Nuffnang and AntiOx. 

As most of you know, almost all of my product review posts feature products that I have found and bought myself. Today is slightly different, as the AntiOx products I'm reviewing were sent to me (by the company that owns the brand, Vitality Brands) for free. A significant benefit of this arrangement is that I not only get to review the products, but also host a give away so that you can try them too!

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Fortnightly Fitness Fridays - Pink laces give away

Did you have any coloured shoelaces as a child?

I had purple ones when I was about 8 years old (in 1991 or so), which came threaded through black and purple running shoes. I loved the shoes because of the laces, and used to enjoy wearing them with assorted purple clothing. Black bike shorts and a purple t-shirt. A pair of purple dungarees / overalls that I wore to bits. Even, I regret to say, with a short purple skirt worn over white leggings. The joys of fashion in the late 80s and early 90s!

I no longer wear dungarees or purple skirts over white leggings, but I do still appreciate coloured shoelaces. And as of this week, I'm very pleased to have some pink ones, complements of my Sweat Pink Ambassador pack arriving.

I am still deliberating over which of my shoes should have pink laces, but it's an enjoyable kind of deliberation.

From left to right: My Brooks 'real' running shoes, old New Balance cross-trainers that I wear for gardening and trips to the park, and some Reeboks that I wear casually

At heart, it would seem that I'm still an 8-year-old but that pink is my new purple.

Given that I don't have shoes enough for all of these laces, and sharing is generally more fun that not sharing, I would like to give away 8 pairs of pink shoe laces to any fellow Australians who would like them. If there are more than 8 people I'll pick at random. Just leave a comment if you are interested!

As for me, I'll be admiring my shoes.

What about you - do you have any multi-coloured laces? Or any in the past?

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