Gluten free Vegan Stirfry Recipe

I made this recipe when my gorgeous friend Katieeatsvegan came over for a girly night in. 

It tastes SO good - this dish really hit the chinese takeaway craving, with a nutrition bomb bonus! 

If you're like me and struggle to stand for longer than 5 minutes, you can either chop the veggies up a few hours before you need them, or get someone to help you. It takes a little effort, but oh it's so worth it! 

The first step (you can do this earlier in the day if you need to really pace yourself)

chop half-1 aubergine into cubes

Heat a large frying pan with some oil of choice (not olive oil)
fry the aubergine til slightly browned
turn the heat down, then add:

1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional but does give a deeper flavour)
1 tbsp liquid aminos or tamari
1 tbsp liquid smoke

Once everything has been soaked up, set the aubergine to one side in a bowl.

second step:

Chop:
1 medium red onion (keep in a separate bowl)
half a punnet of mushrooms of choice (keep in a separate bowl)
1-2 bell peppers (any colour you like, I like red and green)
1 courgette
1 tin of water chestnuts
1 Jerusalem artichoke (optional but very nutritious)

When you're ready, add some oil to a wok or large frying pan
on a medium heat, sauté the onion til soft.
Add all of the chopped veg and stir occasionally.

in the meantime, fry the mushrooms in a separate frying pan with a splash of liquid aminos.

when the mushrooms have started to shrink and most of the water has evaporated from the pan, add the mushrooms to the rest of the veg.
  Now add the aubergine that you cooked earlier, a clove of grated/chopped garlic, a tbsp of chinese 5 spice and stir  and some cashews -  stir through.

- Turn down to a low heat.

Boil up your noodles of choice. I like soya or mungbean noodles for the extra protein and flavour, but rice noodles are also a good choice.

Once the noodles are cooked, drain and stir into the vegetables. Add a splash of liquid aminos and black pepper.



Feel like a side dish? 

If you want to go the extra mile, this side dish really compliments the noodles.

roughly chop half a punnet of mushrooms (or try shitake mushrooms)
1 tin on bean shoots (find in asda)
1 clove garlic
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
half a tsp mild chilli powder (or more if you like it hot)
half a tsp chinese 5 spice
half a tbsp liquid aminos/tamari
black pepper

Fry in some oil until the bean shoots are soft and serve with the noodles!




If you like these recipes, feel free to leave a comment!

Easy Vegan Tikka Recipe

I made this recipe only a couple days ago for my batch of frozen ready meals and it reheats so well, I just have to share the recipe.

 It's an easy one pot meal, fast, and seriously easy to cook!
It makes about 6 servings, and takes less than 30 mins to prepare and cook.

All you need is:

1 large onion
1 green bell pepper (or favourite veg of choice)
1 block of firm tofu (I used smoked)
1 tin of black eyed beans
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 jar of tikka curry paste (I used a whole jar of sainsbury's)
1 carton soya cream

chop and Fry the onion in your oil of choice, followed by green pepper.
Add your tofu - once slightly browned, add all the other ingredients.
Serve piping hot with either rice, jacket potato, millet, or quinoa

What's brilliant about this recipe is that you can you swap the tikka paste for korma paste (only the paste is vegan) and use coconut cream instead of soya, to end up with a wonderful, easy, creamy korma.




If you like this recipe, feel free to comment below!

Going Vegan in... Asda

Now there are literally tonnes of products in Asda that you can buy vegan - But I've picked out the products that I think would fit very nicely in a shopping basket for a newly turned vegan!
(Not a gluten free post - But I will be making a post for us gluten free vegans soon!)

Most jarred bolognese sauces are vegan! 

Like I said before - There are just So many products to choose from!
 it's really not that difficult these days to be vegan :-)

I hope this little post helps!

If you are interested in more vegan products head over to the Vegan Womble Where products are updated often!

M.E/CFS Relapse Action Plan

This guide has been made by me from my own experiences whilst suffering with this disease.
I am not a professional/Qualified Doctor - Please consult your doctor before changing any routine, or before taking any new supplements. 

Relapse plans are never easy 

(you've just had a relapse, what is easy?!)

Here is a list of things I do when I am having a relapse, I try to be as strict as possible, so I can get back on track to being as well as possible, as soon as possible. 

Diaphragm Deep breathing for 10minutes, 3x a day (upon waking, afternoon, and before sleep)

Water:
Whilst sleeping our bodies don't produce saliva  - So our bodies will want us to drink about 8 hours after sleeping, which can be a problem for someone who could easily sleep for 12 hours straight!

This is the most important rule - to drink a medium to large glass of spring/mineral water
after 8-9 hours of sleep. Sit up for a little while after and start the deep breathing exercise. After this you can choose whether to get up or to sleep a little longer.

Second most important rule
Fresh air! - Getting fresh air is really difficult when enduring a relapse, but no matter how hot or cold it is outside, stepping into the garden for 5 minutes will really help clear your head. Even better if you can walk/sit on some grass bare foot as this will help drain away any excess electricity that can build up from technology use (which can make us feel rather unwell) If you feel that you really cannot leave your room, open a window for a good 20 minutes in a couple of rooms to air the house (and you) out.

Supplements:

Lots of supplement aren't always best with a relapse.

Here are the basic ones I take (to reduce risk of detox)

Bcomplex liquid 1-2 times a day

Milk Thistle by Viridian - 2-3 times a day

Liquid magnesium 50% rda before bed

Evening primrose oil - 1000mg - 2-3x a day

Our lymphatic system needs movement to circulate properly.
The easiest way to do this is to body massage with an oil of your choice (I like coconut oil as it's anti viral) Massaging in circular motions moving up towards your heart.

Stretches in bed will help keep joints from stiffening up and also help the lymphatic system. Choose whatever gentle yoga stretches you feel you can do. 

Raw juices
Obviously eating healthy is always going to help!
I find drinking raw juices made from fruits I'm not intolerant to can help ease my brainfog and that horrible sluggish feeling. Make sure you only use organic fruits and veg, if you haven't got the energy to make juices, there are lots of places these days that will make them for you, it's a service worth paying for!

It's very easy to munch on junk food, but that's the last thing your body needs whilst relapsing. I hope you find this Vegan Food craving guide useful!

Gluten Free Vegan Rogan Josh Curry

Curries can be so easy to make, especially if they're vegan!

This curry is super quick and shouldn't take longer than half an hour to make.



Rogan Josh Curry

Total cost not including rice - £3.88
Serves 6 (freeze left over portions up to one month)

2 Large Onions chopped (4 large onions 89p - Lidl)
1 can Butter Beans (29p per can - Lidl)
2 tins chopped tomatoes (35p each approx)
1 400g pack mushrooms (89p approx Lidl)
1 aubergine - optional - (55p approx Lidl)
Half a jar of Patak's Rogan Josh Curry Paste (Asda/tesco £2 per jar - the other half will last in the fridge for ages!)
1 clove garlic (optional)


In a large pan Sauté the onions in a little sunflower oil til soft. On a medium heat,  chop aubergine and mushrooms into desired sized chunks and add to the onions on . Once mushrooms and aubergine have browned drain, rinse and add the butterbeans to the mixture then stir through the Patak's curry paste - when everything is covered in the paste, pour in the chopped tomatoes, stir and leave to simmer gently for about ten minutes - Season to taste, serve with rice and vegan poppadoms!

Want to try something different? Try Millet instead of rice!

If you don't eat onions, substitute with a leek, or veg of your choice

Want some vegan naan bread? Ask your local whole foods store, or check out http://www.veganoo.net for vegan naan options. For a cheap, healthy alternative -
serve pita bread instead.

Finally! Deodorants That Work!

This is a very personal topic for me, but I'm so amazed, I have to share this!

 Ever since I was a child I my parents and I have always struggled to find a deodorant that controls my problem perspiration, and the annoying odour that goes with it!

I remember when the problem first started. It was the beggining of a 6 week holiday, and suddenly my sisters started complaining (as every 10 and 13 year old would do) "Oh my God Natasha how do you still have friends!?"

This is quite funny to look back on now, but at the time, while it was grossing out my sisters, it had me, and my mum in a panic! I didn't want to be the smelly one at school!

Over the holiday we tried. Every. Single. Deodorant. Even mens!
We came to the conclusion that despite nothing really worked - I was to use a soap stick type antiperspirant and deodorant wipes. I suffered so bad, I had to take a spare t-shirt, and the deodorants with me so I could reapply after lunch. Then the same again after school.

This was my new routine for the next 12 years. It was a pain, but it the only solution we could find!

When I turned 20, I started looking into a chemical free lifestyle. I was intrigued at how many harmful chemicals that were in deodorants! So that was the first thing to go (thinking that now I'm an adult, I might not be so bad)

  For the first 3 weeks I was actually fine! Not much sweat, barely no odour. The bliss didn't last long...

Once those blissful few weeks had gone, I was noticing a bad problem. Perspiration like a dripping tap, and the not so good ol' body odour.

Urgh!!! When will this end!? Never... obviously..

So for the past 3 years, I have been searching for once again, a solution to my problem.

And I think I may have finally found one..Or 2.

The first year I had no luck. All natural deodorant just disn't work. It was hell. Embarrassing. The only thing I found at the time that helped, was the Pitrok wipes, but they were expensive.
The second year I was delighted to find Salts Of The Earth Spray, which although doesn't work great on my odour, it helps slow down my excessive perspiration.
 I was happy to carry on in a similar way to my old routine, only this time it was a natural, less harmful product.

This year, 6 months in, I discovered a new product at The Allergy and Free From Show in London. A deodorant named Fresh Kidz.

This deodorant does not slow down perspiration, however it does control odour.

When I saw this product, I immediately thought of my partner, because he doesn't use antiperspirant. This would be perfect for him!

He agreed to try it, and after a few, not so 'phewy' sniff tests (lovely)
I was pleasantly surprised with the result of this product,

so I thought I would try it myself in conjunction with my salt spray.

And you know what? It's the best deodorant combination I have found to date!

It's not the most pure of products I must admit, BUT it is a lot less harmful and reasonably priced products I can find that actually work.

The salt spray controls my perspiration. I use about 6 sprays, using my hairdryer to to dry the liquid on every 2 sprays. I then apply a small amount of the Fresh Kidz deo'

It's still not perfect, but it works better than my old regime, so I'm very happy! 

This combination works extremely well considering how problematic this, well, problem has been.
And if you have a similar problem, it might just help you too!

Both products are alcohol free, zero aluminium, Fragrance free, not tested on animals and are vegan friendly. Yay.

The salt spray is available in Holland and Barrett, whilst the Fresh Kidz is available at Boots.

Blogs You Might Like to Explore

Hope everyone is as well as possible today!
 I can't believe it's Friday already!

For this evening, seeing that I feel too flopped to do anything (as in pop to the shops to gorge on some crisps...) I thought I would recommend a few blogs :-)

Talking about chronic health can get a bit much from time to time, so reading about anything that isn't to do with it helps keep me ticking!

I'm quite new to writing, even though I got an average GCSE in English, I was often too unwell and foggy to write anything. But since some fog has lifted, I am starting to really enjoy writing at my own pace. I have no idea if I'm any good at it, but nonetheless, I enjoy it.

Another Made Idea Blog has a post about how to improve writing skills. It was an absolute joy to read and very helpful.

ThriftyDee is exactly what the blog title is. A student that's on a mission to save money. To be Thrifty. Everyone needs tips on how to save money on a number of topics, I'm sure she will cover most of them over time.

Nikki Miles Illustration is a colourful, artistic website with lots of lovely arts and crafts to read about. I love her work, it's so original!

Katie eats vegan is a great blog for, you guessed it, Vegan Food!
She writes about her vegan food missions round the UK (and anywhere else that takes her fancy)
And has found some amazing little places that I hope I can visit one day. She has some wonderful recipes too!

Vegan Beauty Review is a beautifully made blog with some brilliantly written reviews. If you're looking for some new beauty products, this is a great place to start 

Angel Numbers - I love this blog, it is ram-packed with spiritual information. I am fascinated with angel numbers as mine have always been amazingly accurate.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!