Starting my detoxification process :)

After feeling down for a while, I decided that I need to change my life, start detoxifying and doing yoga.
This is my 1 week plan which will be posted every couple of days.

Day 1 22/4/2010:
Breakfast: 1 cucumber
Lunch: salad
Dinner: 1 foccacia (my bad)

Day 2 23/4/2010:
Breakfast: 1 cucumber, 1 tomato, Tea
Lunch: Boiled Fava beans, 1 grilled potato wedge
Dinner: Tea

Foods used in cooking Macrobiotic way:

Whole cereal grains:

• Small or long grain brown rice

• Corn on the cob

• Whole grain Barley

• Whole Oats

Flour products (occasionally used):

• Whole wheat noodles (udon)




• buckwheat noodles (soba)

Vegetables (used often):

• chinese cabbage, leeks, parsley, spring onions, watercress




• broccoli, squash, cauliflower, mushrooms, onion




• carrots, parsnip, radish

Beans:

• chickpea, black soybeans, green lentils




• black-eyed peas, kidney peas

Others:

• dried tofu, brown rice miso




• brown rice vinegar, wasabi, umeboshi paste




• nori sheets, wakame kombu

Drinks:

• Bancha twig tea (kukicha), Bancha leaf tea (green tea)

Classification of food the Macrobiotic way:

1. According to their effect on our body temperature:

• Hot: ginger, alcohol, curry


• Warm: cinnamon, miso soup


• Normal: kuzu, rice


• Cool: mint, mild use of salt

2. By taste:

• Sour: vinegar


• Bitter: roasted seeds, olives


• Sweet: pumpkin, rice, corn, dried fruits


• Spicy: leeks, ginger, mustard


• Salty: miso, soy sauce
  

3. Direction in which they energize the body:

• Ascending, upward: sugar, alcohol


• Descending, downward: salt


• Floating


• Sinking

What Macrobiotics is all about...

From Wikipedia:

A macrobiotic diet (or macrobiotics), from the Greek "macro" (large, long) and "bios" (life), is a dietary regimen that involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as vegetables and beans, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods. Macrobiotics also addresses the manner of eating by recommending against overeating and requiring that food be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

Important macrobiotic theorists, including George Ohsawa and Michio Kushi, stress the fact that yin and yang are relative qualities that can only be determined in a comparison. Every single thing in the universe has both yin and yang factors, but one will always be dominant over the other.

For instance, take a carrot. It is neither yin nor yang by itself. The orange, dense, hard part of the carrot is yang in comparison to the leafy, expansive, light-seeking, green tops, which would be considered more yin. But that same "yang" orange carrot would be considered more yin in relation to another object that was even more yang than the orange carrot, say a ginger root, which is even more dense and hard and heating than a carrot. The carrot's sweetness compared to ginger's lack of sweetness makes it more yin compared to ginger.

These are classified as extreme yin (stimulating) in their effects:

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Honey
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Refined flour products
• Very hot spices
• Drugs
• Chemicals and preservatives
• Commercial milk, yogurt and soft cheeses
• Poor quality vegetable oils

These have yang (strengthening, but stagnating effects if over-consumed).

• Poultry
• Meat
• Eggs
• Refined salt

From www.macrobiotics.co.uk :

10 Useful Steps for Starting Macrobiotics
by Melody Gardot

1. KEEP COOKING BOOKS HANDY
for referring to recipes. It keeps you from forgetting exactly what you need and how to cook things when you're just beginning.

2. KEEP FOOD SUPPLIES ORGANIZED to eliminate scavenger hunts while your items are cooking.

Keep all your grains in containers clearly marked, all your refrigerated items neat and all your seaweeds together.

Do this for your pots and cooking supplies as well.

3. THINK "OUT WITH THE BAD AND IN WITH THE GOOD" when it comes to food shopping. By clearing out your cabinet of the foods that you used to eat you will be less likely to eat them again.

Every once in a while you can reward yourself with a treat, just make sure it's not overkill or else you're back to square one. I like to have a sweet treat once in a blue moon.

Mochi is particularly good, but if this isn't quite your thing, try a small serving of sorbet on rare occasion.

4. KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU'RE EATING with a calendar noting the breakfast lunch and dinners that you plan to eat each day.

Start with a weekly calendar. This way, you know that you're balancing meals throughout the day not just taking certain meals and cooking them again and again.

Macrobiotics is about balance and just because you're cooking macrobiotic foods doesn't mean you're getting the right ones.

5. KEEP TRACK OF HOW YOU FEEL while you are in the midst of adjusting.

It took me three months to notice anything. I had a great deal of toxicity from medication and months of eating the wrong foods that needed to be eliminated from my body.

Those months were hard adjusting to the new food and how my body felt. By keeping track I was able to see the improvements

6. PACK A TO GO BAG so that when you are out you don't reach for junk.

It s the hardest thing to deal with road cravings especially when you are bombarded by temptation after temptation screaming "24 hour' or "drive though".

By keeping food with you in a lunch bag, you can resist temptation and eat what you should.

7. EAT AT HOME because you'll find it's hard to figure out what's in the foods you order in restaurants.

Some places use oil some don't. Some places microwave, some don't.

Since you are going to need every bit of help you can get to make sure you are really making a change for the good, pass on lunch with friends out at your old favorite restaurant and instead offer to cook for them at your place.

8. SHARE THE JOY WITH A FRIEND who is eating macrobiotic as well. Some people find it hard to do lifestyle changes alone.

Macrobiotics can be as strict or as loose as you like, but you'll feel better knowing you're not alone in your change. Go to health stores and start up conversation with someone who is buying the same tofu as you.

It might turn out they eat macrobiotic too. Go to a yoga center and meet people. Often people who practice Yoga look to macrobiotics for health.

No matter how you do it, find a friend to share the joy of living life with macrobiotics

9. INCORPORATE OTHER MEANS OF HEALTHY LIVING with yoga, tai chi or meditation. Doing so will keep you calmer and promote happiness. The breathing exercises involved help to soothe your nerves and ease your mind so you can appreciate each day more so.

One of the concepts of macrobiotics is to sit down and eat your meal slowly so you enjoy each meal and you are thankful for the food before you.

In modern society people are lucky if they get a 30 minute lunch break so it's very important to keep yourself calm and chew your food well despite being on a tight schedule. Breathing exercises can help in this way.

10. STAY MOTIVATED by rewarding yourself for a job well done. Keep yourself motivated by referring to your journal that described how you feel.

Every once in a while look back to day one, when you were just beginning. Look in awe at the improvement you have made and the knowledge you have gained.

You learn by doing and with macrobiotics, you'll quickly see that it is much more than a diet, it's a lifestyle. And the rewards of living this way are far greater than you could have ever imagined.

Macrobiotics :)

A couple of years ago I went through a medical issue through which I was treated for 3 years. Of course as a medical student I know the effect of all the medicine and procedures where doing to my body. Because of this I decided to start looking into more methods to keep my body healthy. I started doing yoga and eating Macrobiotic food.
I didn't accept the taste of the brown rice at first, plus most of the food tasted bland to me.
Let me give you an idea of what I was used to. I grew up loving cooking and food. I was baking my own cakes when I was 7 years old. I kept experimenting and my passion grew with every dash of salt and teaspoon of vanilla. I am very good at doing what I love and I love to cook!
Don't get me wrong I didn't eat everything I cooked, I wasn't overweight but I didn't exercise as much as I should have.
Getting back to Macrobiotics, I was introducted to Michio Kushi and his amazing Macrobiotic books by my aunt Dr Nawal Al Alem who's an amazing dermatologist in Qatar. I wasn't very welcoming to start with but after reading "Natural Healing through Macrobiotics" by Michio Kushi I definitely changed my mind.
I went to a health shop, bought my healthy food supplies, started to fight by temptations to bulge on chocolates and sweets. Started doing yoga more too.

chocolate revel bars :) NEW with pics!

Ingredients
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons liquid vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1-1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces
•1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the butter or margarine. In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.

The butter should be light and fluffy.

2. Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed.

3. Beat in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla.

4. In another large bowl stir together flour and baking soda; stir in oats.

5. Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Set aside.

6. In a medium saucepan combine the reserved butter or margarine, the sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate pieces. Cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir

in walnuts and the 2 teaspoons vanilla.

7. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15x10 inch baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture. Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.

8. Bake in a 180 *C oven about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate mixture will still look moist). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 2x1-inch bars. Makes about 75 bars.

The best Toffee Cake EVER!

For the toffee:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
1/2 cup thick cream
For the cake:
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 180*C, prepare one 9" round pan, butter and flour base and sides.
2. For the toffee: Heat the sugar and the water. Cook until golden. Remove from heat and add the cream. Make sure you keep you r distance because it will splatter. Keep aside.
3. For the Cake: Sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Keep aside.
4. Beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the whipping cream, vanilla and flour mixture.
5. Pour batter into pan, drizzle 1/2 the toffee mixture on top of the batter. Bake 30-35 minutes.
6. Cook completely then spread the remaining toffee on the sides and coat with almonds. :)

Chicken with a 100 cloves of garlic :)

This is by far the best chicken recipe I've tried. The 100 cloves of garlic is an exaggeration but its full of garlic that's for sure! Tell me your comments please.

I whole chicken, cut into 4 or 8 pieces
20 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
pich of black pepper

1. Spread all the ingredients over the chicken and marinate overnight or for a couple of hours in the fridge.
2. Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a pan, add the chicken pieces and cook unitil golden.
3. Add the marinate and 1 cup of water. Let boil then cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked.
4. Serve warm with white egyptian or basmati rice.

Chocolate Brownies :)

160g chocolate
3/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 180*C. Line a 9X9 inch pan with foil. Keep aside.
2. Heat the chocolate and the butter until melted but not boiling. Keep aside.
3. Sift the flour and the baking powder. Set aside.
4. Beat the sugar and eggs unitl fluffy. Add vanilla.
5. Mix well then add the flour and the chocolate mixture.
6. Pour into pan and bake 30-32 minutes. The center might be a bit soft but dont worry.

Bon appetit :)

Fataa with meat chunks!

The grilled bread cubes sprinkled with cooked garlic and meat stock.

Garlic cloves used for fataa's delicious flavour.

Cooked white rice.

Boiled meat cubes with all the flavours.

Grilled bread cubes.

Preparing this dish always reminds me of Eid and being around the family :)

This recipe can be altered, removing the meat and adding chicken breast, chicken quarters or shredded meat like shawerma.

The recipe:

1 kilo meat chunks

4 cups of water

2 bay leaves
5 pieces cardamom

4 pieces cloves

1 piece cinnamon stick

1 cup egyptian rice

1 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-2 pieces arabic bread (pita)

3 cloves garlic

1/4 cup vinegar

1. Boil the water, add the whole spices and the meat pieces.

2. Cook the meat until tender, remove from stock and keep.

3. Wash the rice until the rice turns clear, soak in warm salted water for 15 minutes.

4. Heat the oil in medium saucepan, drain the rice and add to oil.

5. Mix until rice is dry, add 1/2 cup meat stock and 1-1/2 cup water as needed. Let boil, lower heat and cover. Cook ab out 15 minutes until rice is tender.

6. Cut bread into squares, fry or grill in oven. Spread in serving plate.

7. Heat 1 tablespoon oil, add crished garlic, cook until browned. Add vinegar.

8. Spread 2 tablespoons garlic over bread.

9. Ladel 1/2 cup stock over bread.

10. Layer rice over bread.

11. Heat 2 tablespoons oil, add meat and turn until golden. Layer ontop of rice.

12. Sprinkle remaining garlic on top.

13. Another method is to mix 1 cup yoghurt with 1 crushed garlic and layering to over the rice then adding the meat.

Bon appetit :)

grilled peppers :)

chocolate revel bars :)

Ingredients
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons liquid vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1-1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces
•1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions
1. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the butter or margarine. In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed. Beat in eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla. In another large bowl stir together flour and baking soda; stir in oats. Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan combine the reserved butter or margarine, the sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate pieces. Cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts and the 2 teaspoons vanilla.

3. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15x10 inch baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture. Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.

4, Bake in a 180 *C oven about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate mixture will still look moist). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 2x1-inch bars. Makes about 75 bars.

Manal Al-Alem's new website!

Manal Al-Alem's new website is now launched,,,please check it out :
www.manalonline.com

Manal Al-Alem's new CookBook!!!!

Manal Al-Alem has launched her new cookbook "Matbakh Manal Al-Alem" in the Middle East!! There are a wide collection of recipes each with detailed clear steps and a mouth-watering picture.
To get your copy, call Manal Al-Alem's office, Foodlines Company, Kuwait:
+965 5731264
+965 5731265
the book is planned to be available in most countries soon.
Enjoy your cooking experince!

Manal Al Alem's new cooking show

Dear Manal Al Alem and cooking loverzzzz,,,,
Manal Al Alem will be airing her new and exclusive Cooking show on Abu Dhabi TV during the Holy month of Ramdan around 1 pm Kuwait timing.....hope you guys enjoy and u know the recipes will be easy and tasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my day at fauchon- kuwait

This is the breath taking scenery and decor. The theme was silver and shiny!

This is the bread basket, theres brown bread and whole wheat bread too!

As a main course I had Fauchon steak with pepper sauce. Exquisite!

And for dessert....Vanilla Meille feuille. I was glad that the creme patisserie was made with real vanilla seeds!

Mousse cake

Chocolate cake recipe:

2/3 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

3 tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat oven 180* C. Spray 8 ramekins with oil. Keep aside.

2. Sift flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

3. Add egg, milk, vanilla, oil and 1/4 cup water.

4. Bake for 20 minutes

Chocolate mousse recipe:

1 2/3 cups heavy cream

4 egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp cornsyrup

2 tbsp water

7 oz chocolate ( milk and dark ), melted

2 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

1. Beat the cream. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. Whisk the egg yolks.

3. Boil sugar, corn syrup and water for 1 minute. Add slowly to yolks while whisking.

4. Whip for 5 minutes until doubled in size.

5. Add either the milk or dark chocolate, the salt and vanilla.

6. Fold into cream. strain if needed.

7. Repeat recipe using dark chocolate.

To assemble cakes:

1. Cut wax paper into wide strip to wrap around each cake.

2. Pipe 1 inch thick layer of each mousse ontop of cakes.

3. Refrigerate until settled.

Mini pizza

Mix:
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons powdered milk

Add:
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup oil

1. Mix using a mixing machine. Add more flour gradually until the dough is soft and not sticky.
Remove from bowl, knead for 1 minute. Place in a greased bowl and cover. Let rest for 1 hour.

2. Punch down the dough. Knead into 1/2 inch circle. Use round cookie cutter to cut mini pizzas. Place in baking sheet. Let rest 20 minutes.

3. Preheat oven 200*C.

4. Place pizza sauce ontop of pizzas. Top with olives, green peppers and mozarella cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes until golden.

For pizza sauce:

Heat:
1 tablespoon oil

Add:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed

Mix until golden then add:
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Mix then add:
2 cups diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Let boil slowly for 20 minutes until thickened. Let cool before using on pizza.

chocolate mousse

melt:
1/4 cup butter

melt:
200 g chocolate
add melted butter and:
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons honey

whip:
4 eggwhites
add gradually:
1 cup sugar

beat:
1 cup cream
add to chocolate. fold in egg whites.
pour into bowl.
chill 2 hours.

rustic fruit tart

mix:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

add:
11 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed

mix then add:
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons milk

pat into disk, wrap and ref for 20 minutes.
preheat oven to 190*C
roll out dough into 13 inch circle. put onto sheet and ref.

cut 4 cups of any fruit medium pieces.
toss with:
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt

add one of the following:
vanilla
lemon/ orange zest
1/2 cup coarse almonds
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons lemon juice

let dough stand for 5 minutes. add fruit leaving 2 inch from the sides. fold over edges. brush with eggwash and sprinkle with brown sugar.
bake 55 minutes.