Hey ho, Liz from @funkyforestfood here! I’m just your average uni student who loves a bit of yoga, wholefoods, cranking out some desserts and am one of those vegans you see a lot of these days. Woo! Gratitude for the simplest of things gets me up and running and ready to bounce into every single day with a big smile and gives me the willpower to try my best at all things, including looking after myself! Above all, I believe in compassion. I’ve been asked to write about what I eat on an average day, but let there be no average days, for everyday has the potential to be much more than that!
5.30 am
RISE ~ For meditation, yoga and study. Vipassana meditation is a fairly new thing in my life, and here’s to hoping it stays. I’m really feeling the benefits; more focus, more contentment, more patience, less stress and more LOVE. A small morning heart opening yoga flow usually happens with the sunrise, and I like to open my doors to flush out all the sleepy energy in my room and let the crispy air rejuvenate my body, mind and environment. After this, some tea and a litre of water over an hour to rehydrate the body from a night’s sleep. And then study. Because well… uni!
BREKKY
BEHOLD, breakfast! Now I am one girl who likes to EAT in the morning. I definitely prefer to start with fruit on its own to maximize nutrient absorption and optimize digestion. Admittedly, I am lax about it, because well… I love my toast, and that’s cool with me. Generally, smoothie bowls are the go, but as seasons cool, anything from a few slices of hot crunchy toast smothered in my fave combos; Avo and Vegemite or Peanut Butter and Jam, to a steaming bowl of Savoury Rice Congee with vegetables, ginger, chilli and spring onions sets me up alright!
LUNCH
A ‘whatever-is-lying-around’ is my approach, aiming for leafy greens as the main character. Usually a big flavoursome salad e.g.; Spinach, Falafels or Tofu, Carrot, Beetroot, Tomato Tahini Lemon Dressing, Pepper, Sweet Chilli Sauce. Or a mixed plate e.g.; Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Brussel Sprouts (or both…), Spinach, Guac, Lime, Cucumber, Bread, Dips. Or a sandwich e.g.; a tempeh or tofu cake with spinach, tomato, avocado and homemade peanut satay sauce.
DINNER
Early dinner when possible, to give the body enough time to digest and then have a break from digesting so it can put energy into restoring and repairing other parts of the body. A portion of hot hearty veggies is all I need, topped with fresh herbs! I love different cuisines, Indian, Thai, Malay, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Mexican being my favourites. My mum’s Malaysian and a boss at curry so you’ll usually find me with a portion of her okra, potato and lemongrass curry.
SNACKS
Two to five times a day, depending on what’s going on. You be the judge, hey! Corn cakes or with PB, Banana and Dark Choc Chips. Apples. Kale Chips. Green Smoothies. Natto (Japanese Fermented Beans). Wakame Salad with Sesame Seeds. Miso Soup. Crusty sourdough roll and hummus or guac to dip. I’m easy. Variety is key. You’ll also always find me with a fat-cuppa of glued to my fist except around meal times, to help iron absorption.
EATING
Alone, I love to focus on mindful eating, appreciating each bite and the flavours. I like to think of how long it took to grow each aspect of my food, from seed to plate, I like to think and sort of thank the farmers, the seasons, the pickers, truck drivers and everyone involved for all their efforts. That’s at least three times a day to feel endlessly grateful to live with an access to an abundance of food and appreciative the hard work of others
MACA-CARAMEL BREAKFAST BOMBS
Ingredients
- 12 medjool dates
- 3/4 cup of oats
- 1/2 cup of coconut
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp maca
Method
- Put everything into a bowl and use your hands to mix everything together to form a huge sticky paste!
- Pull off chunks, roll into balls and roll in some extra coconut, if you feel!