There you have it, my perfect coffee sub smoothie!
Did you know Dutch people drink on average a whopping 140 liters of coffee per person per year? And although i love the flavor of a good cuppa there’s also a downside to coffee. We could prevent a lot of fatique, crankiness, moodswings, sleepdeprivation etc by using coffee more moderately. Now this recipe will make moderation COOL!  : )
It is the perfect sub for coffee since it WILL give you a boost. Only in this case it’s gonna be a healthy one. Start the day off with this delicious smoothie instead of your typical shot of cafeine, have your coffee in the afternoon or after lunch, continue doing this for a week or so and let me know if anything changes!
Enjoy your renewed sense of energy!*
Love,
Kyra

This is the link to kyras kitchen episode 4 on YouTube

(photo’s by kyra (c))

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good bar of healthy chocolate!

It is known for its powerful antioxidants which promote longevity and prevent aging. It also lowers bloodpressure and stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonine. These give a happy feeling and lift your spirit.

Choosing the RIGHT chocolate is crucial though.

Bars loaded with white sugars and dairy and not advised.

Organic dark chocolate, sweetened with healthy sugars and full of pure ingredients are best.

This is my top 3:

1.Om Bar: Probiotic Coconut (RAW)

2.Love Chock: Almond & Fig (RAW)

3.La Red: Dark

All of these bars are made with nothing but the best organic cacao powder, creamiest cacaobutter and the healthy sweeteners.

Om Bar sweetens with coconut blossom sugar and gets its extra creamy texture by combinig cacaobutter and coconut cream.  It is the most dvinine chocolate i’ve ever tasted. Love Chock contains dried coconutblossom nectar and two more superfoods: lucuma and maca. The sexy looking La Red contains palmsugar, which is considered one of the healthiest sweeteners for it is mineral rich and has a low GI. GI stands for Glycemic Index. Foods that are high GI raise the bloodsugarlevel quickly and cause shortterm sugardips, lethargy, crankiness and moodswings. On the long run high intake of high GI foods could cause diabetes and many other nutritional diseases. All of the chocolate bars mentioned in this article are low GI. They will raise the bloodsugar level slightly so you’ll have a gradual amount of energy distributed thoughout your body. It provides lasting satisfaction, a balanced mood and prevents overeating. How awesome is that?  : )

Note chocolate is preferably consumed during the day. It has a stimulating effect and therefore suits your daytime rythm. People challenged by insomnia should diminish chocolate consumption alltogether and definitely not eat it after 4 pm. But of course moderation is advised in any case, also for the ones of you who do sleep well  ; )

Enjoy!

xoxo

Kyra

after an afternoon of recipe development i’m letting none go to waste and eating the fruits of my labor  : )

what are you having for dinner?

*the best meals are cooked with love and eaten in nice company*

(above) one of the great ingredients in todays soup: the exotic spice saffron

have a lovely dinner & evening all!

xoxo

kyra

all photo’s by kyra (c)

hi all,
after experiencing some strange dutch weather this week (we’ve had high temperatures but greyness, heavy rains and wind) i came up with a dish that brings some bright clear spring summer vibes into the home. i hope it surely does within yours!
this dish is perfect for late spring since both buckwheat and dandelion stimulate the cleansing of the body, leaving you with a healthy physique and clear happy mind.
wishing you a wonderful weekend together with loved ones!
xoxo
kyra

here’s the link to kyras kitchen episode 3 on you tube! when i upload the video the sound and pictures somehow don’t synchronize, bear with me, i’ll get it sorted to make sure next weeks episode flows nicely! : )  big x!

(photos by kyra (c))

Of late i’ve had the great urge to munch on rhubarb. Strange because i’ve never had rhubarb before. It could therefore not have anything to do with craving the taste, simply because i didn’t have a clue what it would taste like!

But me being a naturally curious person and rhubarb being in season I couldn’t resist trying it out.

Taste & Texture

I tried chewing on its raw stalks first and its tart tanginess hit me in the face. The stringy texture made me chew like i’ve never chewed before. Not really my cuppa, so cooking was up next. Slow boiling it with a little stevia (natural sweetener) and scraped vanillapod, draining it and then adding raspberry jam made me go weak in the knees. Prepared this way the rhubarb developed a satin softness and transformed its tartness into something heavenly refreshing. I became a fan then and there.

Medicine

As well as being curious about its flavor and texture I was intrigued by its ancient medicinal status. Rhubarb was shipped from China to Europe by Marco Polo. It has been used as a food here since the 18th century, mainly to give a tangy flavor to sweet desserts.

Rhubarb can be used as a natural but powerful laxative. It contains anthraquinones which irritate the colon and therefore stimulate softening and movement of stool. Used in small portions rhubarb can do exactly the opposite: it will fight diarrhea. This is mainly due to the tannins it contains. Tannins, the bitter properties, are known to reduce overall and localized inflammation.

Rhubarb contains lutein which is needed for maintaining healthy skin and eyes. Lutein also neutralizes free radicals. Free radicals are so called aging factors and related to the development of cancer. Antioxidants also fight these free radicals and rhubarb, as its color suggests, has plenty of those!

On top of all this goodness rhubarb contains proper amounts of vitamin c, potassium and fiber and has been known to lower cholesterol levels.

But its not all fun and games

Rhubarb has the rep to be poisonous. Fortunately this is only the case when talking about the leaves. Regard these and eat the stalks only.

Being high in oxalates rhubarb may increase your risk at developing kidney stones. The calcium it contains is called calcium oxalate, a type of calcium our bodies can’t use to build healthy bones. In fact it not only blocks the absorption of the calcium in the rhubarb, it also prevents you from absorbing the calcium in other foods you consume with the rhubarb.

Pregnant ladies and people on heart medication are advised not to use rhubarb.

Bottom line?

When you are prone to developing kidneystones, when pregnant or on heart medications, stay away.

Use  medicinally when confronted with a temporary form of constipation. (for chronic constipation i advise to go and see a natural dietician for longterm food and lifestyle changes)

And generally don’t overdo but enjoy its lovely fresh flavor in moderation.

Feeling rhubarby too?  ; )

Love!

Kyra

–

When buying rhubarb choose firm, crisp stalks with intense coloring. Keeps in the fridge up to 2 weeks. Rhubarb may be cooked and frozen. Wash the stalks and cook in a non aluminium pot, which is advised for all (moderately) acidic foods like rhubarb.

Feel like cooking?

Check out these yummy recipes by my favorite food bloggers:

Simple strawberry cake with grilled rhubarb by Sarah.

Finnish rhubarb drink by the lovely Maria.

(top photo: homemade sugarfree rhubarb compote by kyra (c))

there it is! the second episode of kyra’s kitchen.
today we’re making speltpancakes colored with nothing but nature  : )
fresh beetrootjuice give these pancakes a happy teint and will without a doubt make your day bright & festive.

who said pancakes are artery clogging monsters? these little ones are made with nothing but whole flour, water and a tiny bit of juice. they are as healthy as can be!

you can bake them in the evening and take them along with you for lunch or… whizz them up in only 20 minutes time and have them as a cute and light dinner.

TIP: if you plan to bring them to work for lunch, make sure to also grill the zucchini ahead of time. you can store it overnight in the fridge using a glass or stainless steel box, then bring it along with you the next day. build and dress the pancake right before eating to prevent from turning soggy.

here’s the link to the you tube video: kyra’s kitchen #2: spelt beet pancackes.

have a lovely & colorful weekend all!

xoxox
kyra

(these speltbeetpancakes are vegan so great for those prefering to eat lactose & dairy free)

(photos by kyra (c))

PS I will make sure to use the word NICE a little less next time hihi

Click to watch Kyra’s Kitchen: Stuffed Dates on You Tube

This is the link to my Intro to Kyras Kitchen You Tube Video  : )

It is a great antiseptic and digestive aid. It has been proven to contain powerful antibiotic properties and fight off bacteria such as tuberculosis. It is not a prescription medicine available at the pharmacy only. You can buy it at any healthfoodstore and it can be bought ready-made.

I am talking about the Japanese healing food named umeboshi. This pickled plum like apricot is lovingly called the alka seltzer of the far east and one of the greatest alkaline foods available. Its alkaline character is developed during the six month fermentation process in which all types of good bacteria, enzymes and organic acids are formed.

So what is an alkaline food and why is it so important?

Every organ in our body has a specific pH level. They range from acid (the stomach) to alkaline (the blood). It is very important for our health to maintain a certain balance in pH, otherwise these organs are unable to function properly. By eating and lifestyle (stress etc) we can affect the acid alkaline balance in our bodies. Some foods are more alkaline and therefore balance out the acids we ingest through food and other stresses.

When our internal climate becomes too acid we are more prone to bacterial infections, viruses, fungi, accumulation of mucous. Our health decreases.

Umeboshi adds to the amount of alkalinity in our system, works as a probiotic, supports liver function and detoxifies. It is therefore the perfect food to eat when experiencing a hangover!

But umeboshi does much more.

It clears you from fatigue, morning sickness, car/sea sickness, some headaches, stomach troubles, heats the body from the inside out and rids you from anemia. It has an anti-oxidizing effect thus will slow down the aging process. It helps with skin diseases such as eczema. And it will support your immune system and boost your internal ‘flora’ like nothing else. Skip the supermarket probiotic yoghurts and go umeboshi!

So how to take your umeboshi?

When experiencing a hang-over, nausea, vomiting or vertigo soak one umeboshi plum in hot water or a cup of Bancha tea for 5 minutes. (One plum will rid you from your painful alcohol induced status.)

Drink the liquid and eat the plum together. This is the most common used method since eating the umeboshi plum straight from the jar can be quite a full on experience.

Umeboshi plum is also excellent mixed in with brown rice as a morning porridge or eaten as part of your main meal of the day.

For basic health, the general recommendation is about 2-3 umeboshi plums per week. Umeboshi is a foodlike medicine so small amounts will do. Always choose the highest quality: organic and made with high quality sea salt and shiso leaves.

Note that eating umeboshi is not recommended for people who have delicate digestion, ulcers or gastrointestinal inflammation.

None of these actual and want to start cooking with it? Here is a recipe that uses umeboshi in its filling. Tip: less is more  : )

Enjoy your happier healthier self!

xoxox

Kyra

(photo by kyra (c))

*SCHEDULE of events, workshops & lectures*

2012

APRIL

6th – 13th – yoga & detox retreat italy – www.seedsofyoga.com

28th – miss natural awards – jury & workshop – http://award.missnatural.nl

MAY

6th – daytox workshop at hearts of living – deventer – www.heartsofliving.nl

19th – food & yoga for good sleep – leeuwarden – www.club-yoga.nl

19th – food & yoga for cleansing – leeuwarden – www.club-yoga.nl

JUNE

18th – workshop nutrition – teacher training eindhoven

30th – cooking workshop ‘urban veg lunch diy’ at – www.viva-las-vegas.nl/het-festival

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kyra’s culinary articles have been and will be featured in yoga magazine, JANSEN, green2, bouillon, spezzatino and SIX.

Her second book DAYTOX is available in stores near you!*

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PAST MONTHS:

AUGUST 2011

22 nd – pilot workshop vegan cooking – variatie op de kaart zwolle - www.variatieopdekaart.nl

23 rd – photoshoot for the new (yoga) clothing line by designer barbara de ru – www.barbaraderu.com

SEPTEMBER

30 th – 3 rd october – urban yoga retreat berlin (peace, art & asana’s) http://urbanyogaberlin.com =!FULL!

(maegan and I will be planning new dates for 2012 soon – please feel welcome to join us next time*)

OCTOBER

23 rd – daytox workshop at delight yoga amsterdam – www.delightyoga.nl

29 th  - daytox workshop at yoga utrecht – www.yogautrecht.nl

NOVEMBER

5 th – daytox workshop at yoga moves – www.yogamoves.nl

6 th – intro ayurvedic food workshop at yoga weert – www.yogaweert.nl

20 th – daytox workshop at yoga dreams – www.yogadreams.nl

DECEMBER

1th – 6th december – press trip to copenhagen – article for JANSEN magazine www.nietrijkwelsmaak.nl

(rest of the month reserved for writing)

JANUARY 2012

daytox is featured in magazine light koken – www.lightkoken.nl

7th – new years daytox workshop at mindyourbody harderwijk - www.mindyourbodyfitness.nl

18th & 19th – cooking demonstrations at yogi tea / BIOVAK – www.biovak.nl

FEBRUARY

5th -  daytox workshop at library utrecht  – www.bibliotheekutrecht.nl

11th – detox yang yoga class at action center hoogland – www.actioncenter.nl

12th – daytox workshop with yoga class and talk at aurora leiden - www.aurorayoga.nl

MARCH

4th – cooking a vegan lunch buffet for students of delight yoga & katiza satya’s workshop

21th – PEAS food feast – one evening restaurant – vegan organic glutenfree

24th – detox yin yoga class at action center hoogland – www.actioncenter.nl

25th – workshop nutrition – teacher training eindhoven

31th – healthy cooking class & lifestyle workshop – velp – www.yogainthelight.com