Meal Plan ~ Chicken and Eggplant

Last week I shared with you why I started my meal plan and some of the foods that I cook, my favourite being chilli beef. On Saturday I went food shopping for the month and I picked up some diced chicken fillets which were on sale and a few other things including my mince, eggplant and pork for my all time home made delicacies. Today I wanted to share my meal plan for this week (Monday and Tuesday) since I won't be home rest of the week until Sunday.
I can not recall the last time I ate eggplant so much that I was not sure how I was going to cook it, after some research (maestro google) I decided I was going to bake them. Several recipes has mentioned just putting straight in the oven but I wanted to some how cook them a bit before the oven. I found a recipe that suggested I soak the chopped eggplants into slightly salty water for half an hour then slightly fry or grill them until brown (I chose to fry).
As I have mentioned previously I am not good at writing out recipes so I will add captions to each photo as a way to explain what I did.

Step 1: Chop onion and asparagus, then diced the chicken fillet. Fry both on either side of the pan on low heat for 10 minutes or until fairly cooked.

This is how it should look like, almost cooked but not yet.

Step 2: Add tomato puree (I added some chopped tomatoes as well), salt, pepper (and chilli if you want) then add water and simmer for 10 minutes

Whilst I was cooking the chicken I had already soaked the eggplants in the salted water for 30 minutes, I then removed from the water and heated a pot with olive oil (just a tablespoon)

Before and After frying the eggplants for 3 minutes.

Step 3: In the baking tray layer the eggplants then top over with the chicken sauces cooked earlier, then sprinkle some oregano and cover with foil before baking for 20 minutes.

Serve with choice of side dish, I felt like some rice so I had mine with rice.

I can promise you, you will be licking your fingers all day. I love how simple and easy this is to make and could probably be done faster than me but it was first time so I was happy to take my time. Cooking has become something I enjoy and is very therapeutic and it's my me time so this is awesome to recreate something I will enjoy.

So what do you think of my cooking? How do you cook your eggplants? I have some more in the house and need more recipes for next week so please do share.

Meal Plan

A few months ago after I returned from my trip to visit my friends and family in Zambia I decided to make a change in my life. I got tired of spending almost £30 every week to buy ready meals for the week since I could not be bothered to cook. I now spend about £30 a month of food and since it's just me its a good amount. I buy meats in bulk and buy fresh veggies every week for my salads which I surprisely eat daily to accompany all my foods or by themselves.

#chilli #meatballs jalapeños pickled cucumbers natural #yoghurt #doritos & #cheese #foodblogger #foodflirt #food #healthy #recipe #eats #feedme #instafood #foodphotography #foodgram #foodflirt #foodporn #healthyliving #healthyeating #healthy

A photo posted by A July Dreamer (@myrabev) on Dec 30, 2014 at 11:51pm PST

My meal planning is pretty simple since it is just me, myself and I. I spend a few minutes every month and decide what meats I want to eat and sometimes what other veggies I want to try out and that's it. I do not have a specific day during the week when I cook loads of food and freeze them, for me it all depends on my mood and level of work plus how much energy I am left with when I return from work.

I have made my meal planning as painless as I possibly can, I cook my favourite delicacies and I cook these in huge amounts to last me a week or two. And I have days where I feel like eating cereal or having my jacket potato with cheese and sauce for me it's really simples.

My favourite all time recipe to pull out is my chilli beef recipe, I can not remember the last time I bought ready cooked chilli or chilli beef con carne or anything along those lines as I really do believe mine tastes much better than the store bought. I will share a few steps but I am not that great at explaining recipes so I hope the pictures will be enough but if not when I do get a chance I will update this post with the recipe details. 

Step 1: Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan and fry onions until tender then add mince until brown

Step 2: Add  tomatoes, spices (and as much chilli as you want) and cook for 3 minutes then add tomato puree and water and cook for 10 minutes

Step 3: Add the beans (this is optional) and cook for 2 minutes

Step 4: Cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes

Done

I portion my food out into small lunch boxes and carry one to work. I made a salad to go with this chilli beef

Portion control is very important so I usually use this size ball to measure.

Because I do not want my meals to look dull I always switch it up, I sometimes have the chilli beef with nachos, yoghurt and cheese. It's so delicious you really should try it if not done so already.

So how do you do your meal planning?

{Review} Kiss Me Organics' Green Tea Powder

Before this review I had never heard of the brand Kiss ME Organic, I have heard of the Green tea powders but never had the pleasure of using them myself. I am all about herbal tea and I absolutely love green tea because well it's good for you and because there are so many benefits of drinking Green Tea some of which include:

• Weight loss
• Skincare

I know you are asking how come I drink a lot of green and have seen little to zero of the benefits you've mentioned above. Well Kiss Me organic explains it well "One of the problems is that the way we drink our green tea these days there is little to no green tea goodies (antioxidants) like catechins that actually get absorbed by our bodies hence why we do not see much change". If our bodies are not able to absorb the good ingredients we need to have say better health then we won't notice the change it is more like a placebo effect where you think you actually on the 'wonder drug' only to find you were on sugar pills' will see some change but not what we would get if the body actually got the nutrients.

I was happy to be given the opportunity to try out the organic matcha green tea powder, as I have mentioned have heard of the Green Tea powder but not actually used it. I am yet to experience the benefits listed by Kiss Me Organics but I will report back in another post. One thing I did experience was being energised and I am happy with this because it being December a very busy and hectic month has made me very happy. I would recommend this product to anyone that needs an extra boost every day the healthy way. Though it is organic and only green tea I would still check with your GP if you are on any medication to ensure there is no drug interaction. You can purchase this Product from Amazon just click HERE, HERE and HERE.

Why I am in love with this product: I can use it in my tea, my smoothies and even my baking. I was also given a booklet with recipes to try out and butter me silly I am in love with how simple the recipes are and just how many ways you can use this product. The booklet has great suggestions like 'people who avoid green teas because of the taste should add citrus to the green tea to make it more palatable' and do not worry the citrus will not alter the antioxidant effects of the green tea it will actually increase the absorption rate into your body.

About the Product: ORGANIC MATCHA- GREEN TEA POWER

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{Health Tips} Top 3 Healthy Habits

When you think about healthy habits, what comes to mind? Do you think about your eating habits and question if you are eating healthy enough? Or do you think about the last time you exercise or went to the gym? Or do you completely ignore it because being healthy is different for everybody? I am guilty of these three, I check what I eat when I am talking about being healthy and also ask myself the last time I exercised and not necessary going to the gym but any simple exercise at home. When all else fails then I feel its important to think about my needs and I think 'being healthy' it is different for everyone. Today I will share with you my 3 healthy habits which I am still improving every day.

Cooking 
A long time ago I used to enjoy cooking and creating small but cute little meals in the kitchen, then things changed as I mentioned I went to university and moved in with people who enjoyed cooking and I wanted to take a seat back to be the one that enjoys someone else's cooking for a change. But now that we no longer living together and I am tired of eating ready meals (even if I picked the 'healthier options) I have decided to call upon my old love and start cooking again. My loyal readers remember and have seen me throw up a couple of simple and easy going recipes for the last few weeks and I am just growing stronger.

#recipe on the blog today http://myrabev.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/recipe-granola-breakfast.html

A photo posted by A July Dreamer (@myrabev) on Oct 10, 2014 at 10:56pm PDT

Walking
Ever since I left my parent's house for university then for my job I have always lived at least 15-20 walking distance away from the nearest bus stop or train stop to work. This has been a personal decision because I work in an office 9-5 and hardly have time to do any exercise so I figured a 15-20 minute walk to and from work is very beneficial for my health. Obviously at work I do not just sit without moving around but that is more to the kitchen, ladies or photocopier and that is all so I needed to incorporate more into my daily routine.

Cuteness all round

A photo posted by A July Dreamer (@myrabev) on Jul 7, 2014 at 10:33pm PDT

Drinking water and sleeping
Those who know me personally know that drinking water is a real struggle, I would rather drink orange juice, Fanta etc than drink water. I will drink water if the meal I am having calls for it or if the water is flavoured, I love flavoured water. Sleeping is very important, especially in this technological era we live in. I have noticed lately that if and when I switch off all my electronics 30 minutes to 1hr before bed I do get a very good nights' sleep and feel refreshed in the morning. If i am refreshed in I have the urge to cook and I am even happier to take the longer route to my bus stop than normal, the opposite is true if I don't get a good nights rest or my insomnia starts to act up.

This morning I have opted for a smoothie instead of cereal #Foodblogger #foodflirt #food #healthy #recipe

A photo posted by A July Dreamer (@myrabev) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:32am PST

Last night I read this article 'Healthy habits aren't just for January' and I think that is so true, every January we make all these resolutions on how we are going to change for the new year and how will start exercising to which most do but by march most have burnt out. This article talks about benefits of walking when you can, planning meals in advance and cutting down on processed foods. What caught my attention was the mention of being 'office active' and what kind of problems you might suffer otherwise 'list not exhaustive'. I work in an office and I always try to spend 5 minutes every hour looking away from my computer screen, I will admit there are times when I forget because I am so caught up in whatever I am doing but is ok once in a while not constantly cause this could lead to eye problems, I know someone who is suffering with this 'looking at computer causes this person's eyes to go red and become painful'.

Being healthy is a personal choice, you only get one body treat it properly and care for it dearly. Only you know what healthy means to you and your body, there so many diseases in the world do not give them the upper hand work and fight for your body's well being. Being healthy does not need to be expensive, buy produce from farmers if possible they are normally cheaper than stores.

What are some of your healthy habits? Do you exercise or eat healthy?

5 Easy Meals by Myrabev

1. Fried salmon with righteous salad dressing, pepper,tomatoes,onion,cucumber & lettuce.

2. Mackerel salad - tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, salt & pepper and lettuce.

3. Fried Pork steak - righteous salad dressing, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, salt & pepper.

4. Fried pork steak - with spring onions cooked in butter and served with rice 

5. Salmon with spring onions

It's been over a week since I moved to the new place am renting that means it's been over a week since I (re) started cooking again. A long long time ago I used to enjoy cooking and then well life changed and so did I. I lost the one thing that I absolutely loved (cooking) and didn't even fight for it but now I am and I am so happy.

Cooking is such an enjoyable experience, well at least for me it is. I love throwing different foods together and make an enjoyable meal. As you can see from my pictures I have been creating some really simple and easy meals because let's face it, after a long day at work the last thing you want is another long night in the kitchen hence my simple meals and best part apart from eating its that they are all under 30 minutes. 

What do you think of my very simple and easy to create meals?  

{Off-Sunday} Meals of the week

I am in love with Granola hence my breakfast is granola infested.

My dinners are well that my dinners, I can't tell you how much I am enjoying sitting down and mauling my own cooked dinners. Why on earth did I ever stop cooking???

I am never really home during lunch time as in work 9-5 so this weekend it was a real treat to make me some lunch. I love avocado so it only made seem I use that for my lovely delicious bagels. 

Hi there and welcome to The Myrabev Life, I am sure you have noticed the increased number of food related posts around these parts and all my social media. Well just in case you don't know I kinda lost the cooking spirit about 5 years ago when I started uni and found a girl (now good friend) who loved cooking. She would come over to mine at whatever time I called her and best part we did same course so same classes. I am not a person who enjoys eating alone but well in life you need to adapt and that's exactly what I am doing now...adapting.

I have got my cooking mojo back and I am enjoying creating simple meals because even though I am enjoying my time in the kitchen I do not intend to stay there for hours on hours hence the simple and quickness of my meals. Anyway enough rambling, today I am sharing the meals I have had the pleasure of preparing this week. Unfortunately forgot to take pictures of my first ever chilli beef - yes I am not ashamed to admit I had never cooked chilli before and I hadn't had a foggiest idea how to make it but thank the heavens for the Internet wonders. 

What have you had this week that you cooked? Do you enjoy cooking?  

{Recipe} Simple Salmon meal

Hi there and welcome! I am still basking in my own joy because I have finally gone back to cooking!no more take aways. I just love how I can come up with different recipes, even better the web is full of them. I must confess I am yet to fully follow a recipe to the T, all of them so far I have made major alterations but that's ok that's called cooking (ha self praise). Now let me share with you my quick and easy salmon meal I had the last night.

Ingredients

Salmon fillets

Spring onions, chopped finely

Chilli, chopped finely

Lime juice (zest too if prefer) 1 tablespoon 

Butter

Cooking oil 1 tablespoon 

Method

Heat the cooking oil and fry the salmon for 5 minutes or till crisp and make sure you start with the skin part. 

Once cooked or crisp, turn on to the sides and cook for 2 minutes each side. 

... Put aside once done...

Melt a knob of butter in the pan, once done fry the spring onions, chilli plus lime zest (if included) for 3 minutes then add the lime juice. 

Pour the sauce you just made onto the salmon and serve with either a salad or rice. I chose rice cause I needed a full and filling meal. 

This is a light meal which can be eaten at anytime, it is easy to prepare and delicious. What do you think? Do you like salmon? If so how do you like yours cooked?