An awesome way to kick start your day with this super easy and natural sweetness healthy bloody red smoothie which is packed with 3 superfood and quick energy enhancer

This bloody red smoothie tastes deliciously sweet with no added sugar or honey

I usually have my so-called 'Morning Drink' one or two hours prior to my regular breakfast. My 'Morning Drink' is usually juices or smoothies and they vary from day-to-day depending on my grocery list.  Smoothie is super-duper easy to prepare and you can mix and match depending on personal preference.

A glass of healthy smoothie which is made-up of beetroot, pineapple and kurma (dates)

Beetroot is one of my favorite main ingredients for smoothie. It is healthy and packed with nutrients as mentioned here

Besides, pineapple boosts immune system and packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Do click at the above image for more info on benefits of pineapples.

Instead of adding sugar or honey to my smoothie, I prefer adding kurma as it's considered to be one of the best energy boosting snacks as they are power-packed with natural sugar, strengthen the bones and maintain healthy weight. Do click at the above image for more info.

With the combination of these 3 super ingredients, this is a power-packed nutrient smoothie!

Healthy Beetroot Pineapple Kurma Smoothie

Ingredients :(Please take note no exact or fixed measurement for smoothie. Just be creative and depending on your personal taste)

- 1 cup beetroot, fresh or frozen (peeled and chopped)

- 1 cup pineapples, fresh or frozen (peeled and chopped)

- 6 kurma (deseeded)

Method :

1)  Blend all the ingredients with enough water with a powerful blender and blend on high until smooth. 

2) Serve immediately.

If you prefer cold smoothie, do add some ice and/or frozen beetroot and pineapples. Just blend everything together

This healthy beetroot pineapple kurma smoothie is the perfect pick-me-up

A nutrient and fiber-packed smoothie with all the goodness of the beets, pineapples and golden kurma

A delicious smoothie with its natural sweetness with no added sugar

A perfect drink if you are feeling under the weather.

Do enjoy and cheers!

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Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving your message or comment at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :) 

Quick and easy step-by-step tutorial on how to make healthy breakfast that is bursting with healthy fruits and chia seeds

In fact this is not my first time preparing overnight oats for breakfast. I started doing this about 2 years ago but never thought of blogging this as it was a craze then. Back then, practically, almost everyday we could see posting on overnight oats and I did briefly mention it here that it was my usual breakfast too.

Then, recently a friend happened to ask me whether I eat Quaker Oats for breakfast. I told her of my preferred brands; in fact I have 3 regular brands which I have been taking till now and I like these brands. Well, she has been having her regular oats beverage for breakfast in the usual manner for years - hot water + instant oat + sugar. I told her to try overnight oat (rolled oat) and since then, she loves it!!!

Overnight rolled oats is very easy to prepare. My children prepare their own overnight oats and they just add in their favorite ingredients such as dried and fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, milo, chocolate, etc.  Easy peasy and no headaches for parents... best of all ready-to-eat in the morning!

Here's my tutti frutti chia seeds overnight rolled oats which I quite enjoy it. No exact measurement is required as it all depends on individual's taste bud and preference.

First, prepare any container of your choice. I used glass jar. Then, add 3 tablespoons of rolled oats followed by 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, some dried cranberries and mixed dried fruits.

Then, add in 3 scoops of yogurt. I used homemade yogurt. 

Finally, pour in some milk. I used Farm Fresh milk. Stir and mix well. Cover and keep in the refrigerator. (I prepared this before I go to bed).

Overnight oats just out of the refrigerator.  You may sweeten it with honey but not me.

I like to add fresh fruits as well. For this, I added fresh slices of pineapple and mango.

Healthy and delicious breakfast

Hope you enjoy this simple yet healthy breakfast.  Be creative and add any of your favorite ingredients to the oat mixture.

Have a wonderful week ahead and cheers!

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Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving your message or comment at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :) 

Pan-Seared Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Fresh Passion Fruit Sauce

To me, passion fruit is one of the most delicious fruits on earth  The round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, makes this exotic fruit even unique is that they come in their own little pods. The fruit is soft to firm, its juicy interior is loaded with seeds which are nutritious.  Passion fruit is known for its sweet aroma and flavor.  The seeds are crunchy and edible, besides being juiced and added to other fruit juices or desserts as flavor enhancer.

Health benefits of passion fruit :

1) The fruit is a very good source of dietary fiber.

2)   Passion fruit is good in vitamin C, providing about 30 mg per 100 g. Vitamin-C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful water soluble anti-oxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against flu-like infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

3)   The fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A (provides about 1274 IU per 100 g), and flavonoid antioxidants such as β-carotene and cryptoxanthin-β. Current research studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties, and along with vitamin A are essential for good eye-sight.

4)   Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids may helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

5)   Fresh passion fruit is very rich in potassium. 100 g fruit pulp has about 348 mg of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cells and body fluids, and helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

6)   Furthermore, granadilla is a very good source of minerals. Iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorus are present in adequate amounts in the fruit.
Source : http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/passion-fruit.html

This time, instead of eating passion fruit fresh or juiced, I decided to use this homegrown passion fruit (which is 100% organic!!!) as sauce for  fish.  In fact, passion fruit juice is a perfect substitute for lemon juice when baking or cooking is concerned.  Both juices work well but passion fruit add an extra aroma and flavor to your dish.

Pan-Seared Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Sweet Sourish Passion Fruit
Ingredients :
- 3 Norwegian Blue Mackerel fillets (marinated for 30 minutes)
- 1 tbsp butter
- some Teriyaki Sauce (to taste)
Marinade : (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- 1 tbsp fresh passion fruit juice (press the pulp against a fine sieve to get the juice)
- 1 tsp ginger wine
Sauce : (to taste) - mix all and set aside
- 2 fresh passion fruits (halved, pulp and seeds scooped into a bowl)
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp ginger wine (or more)

Method :
1)  Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a non-stick pan (I used Happy Call Pan).
2)  Add 3 pieces mackerel, skin side up, and closed.  Pan fry over medium heat. Turn when the fish is slightly brown.
3)  Spread some passion fruit sauce on top of the fish.  Close and cook through until golden brown.
4)  Turn off the heat and drizzle some Teriyaki sauce on both sides.
5)  Transfer to a plate and pour the balance of mixed fresh passion fruit sauce over the fish.
6)  Serve warm.

This fruity sweet and sourish passion fruit sauce is a perfect complement to the pan-seared blue mackerel

The added ginger wine gives the sauce a very refreshing and mild gingery flavor and aroma

~A delightful dish for my beloved friends~ 

You might also be interested in this :

Pan-Friend Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Apple Sauce

Simple Pan Fried Norwegian Blue Mackerel with Pandan Leaves (Screwpines)

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Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins

Who doesn't like strawberries???? I am sure most of us love strawberries. We can serve strawberries in anyway we like, be it sweet or savory bakes or dishes. Strawberry jam is our favorite jam. Whenever hubby happens to see strawberries on offer, he is sure to buy some for us and also for me to make jam. In case you also like homemade strawberry jam, you can also try this very easy homemade jam.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

That day, I happened to see one of the many recipes which I have bookmarked in one of my many cook books collection. It's blueberry muffins which seemed to be so easy. (In fact, this recipe has been in my KIV files for quite sometimes and it just slipped my mind until I by chanced saw it, hehehe...) But, I did not have any blueberries. Strawberries?? YES, there were some in the fridge. So, what I did was to substitute it with strawberries.

Well, I am glad I substituted it with strawberries

This Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins is great when you have unexpected guests, and also ideal for satisfying a craving for baked treats.

Quick and Easy Strawberry Muffins

Recipe adapted from Popular Cupcakes & Muffins (Bluberrry Muffins page 102)

Ingredients :  (my modification in red)

- 250gm all-purpose flour

- 2 tsp baking powder

- 110gm superfine sugar

- 125gm fresh strawberries (cut into small pieces)

- 160ml milk

- 125g butter (melted)

- 1 egg (lightly beaten)

- cut 6 strawberries into half (make 12 pcs)

- some icing sugar 

cut fresh strawberries

Method :

1)  Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a standard muffin pan or line with paper liners.

2)  Sift flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl.  Stir in strawberries.  Make a well in center of dry ingredients.

3)  Combine milk, butter and egg.  Mix into dry ingredients, until just combined.

4)  Spoon mixture into prepared pan until to two-thirds full. Arrange halved strawberry on top of the batter.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until skewer inserted in the center of a muffin tests clean.

5)  Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cook completely.

6)  Sprinkle some icing sugar onto the muffins.

Goes well with a cup of hot tea or coffee

If you like strawberries as well as muffins, then this recipe is a keeper

Have a fabulous week ahead and happy baking!

I am linking this post with Cook-Your-Books #18 @ kitchen flavours

and

"My Treasured Recipes #3 - Taste of Autumn (Oct/Nov 2014)" hosted by Miss B of Everybody Eats Well In Flanders and co-hosted by Charmaine of Mimi Bakery House.

as well as

http://kitchendreaming.com/5/post/2014/11/happy-holidays-link-party-week-3.html

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