Coconut Cardamom Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup dried Coconut, toasted
1/2 cup all purpose Flour
3/4 cup confectioner's Sugar (powdered sugar)
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
2 teaspoons Vanilla
Pinch of Salt
6 tablespoons melted Ghee or Unsalted Butter

Directions:
Mix the flour, salt, sugar and cardamom.
Slowly add the roasted coconut. When preparing the coconut roast it on very low heat, making sure it doesn't brown.
Add in the vanilla.
Slowly add in the Ghee, one spoon at a time.
Wrap the dough with some cling wrap and put it in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Pe-heat the oven to 300F.
Form small cookie balls on a cookie sheet (lined with parchment paper)
Cook for 15 -20 minutes - these cookies cook very fast so keep a close eye on them.
Let them cool for 5 minutes and enjoy!

NOTE: This is an Ayurvedic meal that is user friendly for people that have the Vata-Pitta Dosha (minus the sugar). Cookies maybe made with Stevia.

Zesty Cilantro Pesto Sauce

Ingredients:
1 cup packed fresh Cilantro Leaves (1 bunch)
2 tablespoons roasted Sunflower Seeds
2 tablespoons Ghee or extra-virgin Olive Oil
4 tablespoons plain Yogurt
1/4 teaspoon Sambal Sauce (to spice things up)
2 tablespoons Lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
2 tablespoons water
Salt to taste

Directions:
Toss everything in a food processor or blender for about a minute and blend.
Serve with pasta or sautéed veggies.
Can be used as a dip for spring rolls or hot wings.

This is a pitta approved meal per the Ayurveda food guidelines.

Veggie Hoagie

Ingredients:
1 Zucchini, sliced
1 Summer Squash, sliced
1 Avacado, chopped
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
2 Bean Patty, cooked and chopped
4 Hot Dog Buns
Hot Sauce (optional)
Salt, to taste

Directions:
Sauté all the vegetables in Ghee, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Once they start turning brown turn off the heat.
Mixed sautéed vegetables, chopped avocado, chopped patty and hot sauce.
You can add some shredded cheese too, I prefer mexican for this recipe.
Pile the mix on the bun and eat up!

Spiced Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/3 cup sliced soaked Almonds
3 cups water
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground Cardamon
1/4 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Chia seeds
1 Banana, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons Maple Syrup

Directions:
Bring the water to a boil.
Add the oats, raisins, spices and chia seeds, reduce heat.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Drizzle with maple syrup and almonds.
Serve with a sliced banana.

NOTE: This is an Ayurvedic meal that is recommended for people that have the Vata-Pitta Dosha.

Spinach Salad

I can't believe I am actually doing a "recipe" blog for this. Its really so easy. Take a huge bowl and add all of the following ingredients together:

• Spinach - 2 cups (makes salad for one person)
• Shredded Cheese (sharp cheddar) - 2 tablespoons
• Sunflower seeds - 1 tablespoon 
• Veggie Patch meatless meatballs - 5 to 7 of them, cooked
• Catalina Dressing - 1 tablespoon (fat free)

For a vegan/healthier twist, skip the cheese!

Fiber for Vegetarians

We have all seen people emphasize health benefits of a high fiber meals, so what exactly are these benefits? Fiber enables proper function of your digestive tract. It also reduced the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic women should try and eat at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber daily, and 30 to 38 grams for men.

So one of my resolutions this year was to quit meat, and another one was to reduce processed food. So the options I am providing you are Vegetarian and Vegan friendly. A few things from the list below that I use on a daily basis are: Apple, Avocado, Blackberries, Cherries, Coconut Water, Mango, Nectarine, Pear, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries etc. Don't have time to eat them, well make a smoothie and drink it up!

Wanting to change your eating lifestyle is a slow process. Take it one step at a time. Here is a detailed list of fiber content in food items that are readily available.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Resolutions!

I personally think most people fall off the resolution wagon after January! I also think this is because they set unrealistic goals. Don't set yourself up for failure. Be honest to yourself and instead of goals make it about good decisions that allow room for error. For instance if you goal is to drink more water, allow yourself with some low sugar or sugar free juice OR allow yourself one cheat meal a week and eat healthy the rest!

Having said that, here are my promises for 2013:

• Get involved with a non-profit that helps developing countries and volunteer. 
• Finish Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - do all 30 days in a row!
• Eat healthy all week and allow self to cheat one meal per week. 
• Quit eating meat -- thats right, none what so EVER! 
• No useless shopping - I have a bad habit of shopping just because. 
• Worry less!! 

Hope you all had an awesome New Year's Eve and I hope that 2013 is oh so kind to you! 

PS: Stay tuned for a Beauty Giveaway. I will be doing monthly Beauty Giveaways on my YouTube channel. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/user/HP921Vlog

Picture borrowed from Pinterest