Healthy, quick and vegan creamy pasta

So here’s the thing, I’m a bit of a pasta fanatic. If I could have it every day, I probably wouldn’t hold back. To help curb this affliction of mine, I like to make sure I never bring any of that processed white pasta crap into my home–I always have whole wheat, buckwheat, spinach or quinoa pasta at hand.Today was one of those days that I just needed me some slurpy pasta goodness. I ravaged my cupboard only to find that I was in dire need of some groceries, but in critical times, beautiful things are born.  I know what you’re thinking. That’s a bit dramatic for a stupid pasta dish. And to that I say NAY! It is not. Try the recipe and you’ll understand. It’s super, super simple to make, ridiculously healthy and delicious!


So here’s what you’ll need:

  1. A pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat here)
  2. A can of diced tomatoes
  3. 2 cloves of garlic
  4. A handful of torn basil leaves
  5. A pinch of chili pepper
  6. A pinch of sea salt
  7. Olive oil
  8. A handful of baby spinach
  9. 1 ripe avocado
  10. Juice of half a lemon
  11. Some chopped spring onions

Here’s how it’s done, son:

  • First, follow the instruction on your pasta box for cooking the pasta.
  • Second, finely chop the garlic and fry on low till nice and golden.
  • Third, in a blender, add all the rest of your ingredients except for the olive oil and sea salt and blitz together until smooth.
  • Then, blend on low and drizzle in the olive oil slowly. This will help make the mixture even creamier.
  • Add sea salt to taste.
  • In the same frying pan that you fried the garlic, add the cooked pasta and as much sauce as needed. If you feel it’s too thick, save some starchy pasta water and add it to the sauce to loosen it up.
  • Serve and top with some more chili pepper, fresh dill and spring onions.

And voila! There you go. Easy peasy. It’s so good and creamy it feels like you’re eating something naughty without upsetting your tummy! It’s so easy to make, in less than 15 minutes you’ll be chowing down on this baby.

Go straight-up bananas with me and give this recipe a shot. 

Oh, and follow me on Instagram.

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Guilt-free healthy peanut butter pancakes

‘Twas the night before the New Year, when all through the house                     Everyone woke up with a sweet tooth, especially my spouse                               We experimented in the kitchen and desperately searched online                     Till we found THE perfect pancake recipe. Now we’re building it a shrine.

It’s that time of year again. December 31st. New year’s eve. The day where you sit contemplating the year that has passed and dreaming of ways the coming year will be better–how you will be better. 

My resolution’s have added up to the following list below. A year from now, I’m going to read this post again and see just how many of the things have been crossed out from the list. (I’m OK Googling a reminder as we speak read/write)

I’m going to:

  1. Focus on the blog a lot more
  2. Work out more
  3. Focus on my Spanish
  4. Focus on my newly found business
  5. More yoga
  6. More salsa
  7. Travel (I won’t say more, lest the travel Gods spite me for my ingratitude)

You know…all the cliches. lol


Anyhoo, back to the real star of the show. The reason you clicked on this recipe after you saw the picture above or on my Instagram account.

I found this recipe on Minimalist Baker and added my own twists to it. It is most definitely a recipe worth keeping in you repertoire. Especially if you, or any of your loved ones, is afflicted with the want for the fluffy discs of yum. Just look at these babies!

Would you believe me if I told you these fluffy beauties doused in organic peanut butter and maple syrup were sugar free, gluten free, butter free, transfat free…basically free of anything that would hurt your Temple! Healthy, quick and easy this recipe is an absolute keeper!


Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. ½ cup of milk (coconut, cow’s, almond, soy)
  2. 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon of milled flaxseeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) (If you don’t have flax, just use a regular egg)
  3. 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil
  4. 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey
  5. 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  6. ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  7. 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  8. a pinch of sea salt
  9. ¾ a cup of organic oat flour 

Here’s how you get it done, son:

  1. Mix the coconut oil, maple syrup, baking powder, baking soda, peanut butter and salt together. Incorporate well with a whisk.
  2. Add milk to the mixture and mix really really well.
  3. Add flaxseed egg and oat flour and mix until just combined.
  4. Let the mixture rest on your stove for a good 5-7 minutes (this is what will make it fluffy!)
  5. While the mixture is resting, mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with maple syrup and warm water.  Mix until it forms a loose mixture that you can drizzle on top of the warm pancakes when ready. Keep adding water little by little till you get the consistency you want.
  6. Heat a griddle pan on medium heat.
  7. Drizzle with coconut oil so the pancakes don’t stick.
  8. Throw a dollop (¼ cup) of the batter and let fry on one side until golden, then flip and let cook another minute.
  9. Stack the pancakes and cover with your gooey warm peanut butter mixture.

At this point, you’re going to want to gather every single ingredient in your mind that goes well with peanut butter. Sliced bananas, jam, organic chocolate sauce–the possibilities are endless!

I cannot stress enough how much of a killer this recipe is! They’re so quick and easy to make (the whole shabang needs no more than 15 minutes). They’re so healthy and good for you and they taste like HEAVEN!

Go straight-up bananas with me and give this easy, quick and healthy recipe a shot. All ingredients could easily be found in any supermarket in Dubai. It’s not rocket science, I swear. They sound a lot fancier and complicated than they are. I promise!

Oh, and since you’re here…why not follow me on Instagram? 

Okay. Bye.

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Here’s to sunsets and passion fruit, yogurt and coconut milk pana cotta. Absolutely delicious. What are you up to this fine evening? #straightupbananas #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dessert #delicious #fruit #vegan #thailand #island #yummy #eat #thai #happy #love #sunset #beach #beautiful #dubai #dubaiblogger (at Koh Yao Noi - The Small Long Island)

Here’s to sunsets and passion fruit, yogurt and coconut milk pana cotta. Absolutely delicious.

What are you up to this fine evening?

#straightupbananas #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dessert #delicious #fruit #vegan #thailand #island #yummy #eat #thai #happy #love #sunset #beach #beautiful #dubai #dubaiblogger (at Koh Yao Noi - The Small Long Island)

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In my head I’m still there stuffing my face with any kind of good I could get my hands on. This little concoction here is fresh coconut ice cream topped with salted roasted nuts, tapioca jelly and sticky rice. Heaven. #foodgasm #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #icecream #yummy #thailand #amazing #straightupbananas #travel #wander #wanderlust #worldexplorer (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

In my head I’m still there stuffing my face with any kind of good I could get my hands on.

This little concoction here is fresh coconut ice cream topped with salted roasted nuts, tapioca jelly and sticky rice. Heaven.

#foodgasm #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #icecream #yummy #thailand #amazing #straightupbananas #travel #wander #wanderlust #worldexplorer (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Dubai weekends are waking up to this wonderful breakfast, going for a jog and spending the rest of the day at the beach under the glorious Dubai winter sun. 🌞 Today’s breakfast in bed is a good one bowl of strawberry nice cream topped with whatever was in my cupboard 😊 Have a wonderful Friday everyone! #breakfast #fresh #beautiful #fruitporn #fruit #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dubaifood #dubaifoodie #foodblogger #banana #nicecream #icecream #yummy #vegan #raw #rawvegan #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #breakfastinbed #mydubai #weekend (at Sufooh Beach)

Dubai weekends are waking up to this wonderful breakfast, going for a jog and spending the rest of the day at the beach under the glorious Dubai winter sun. 🌞

Today’s breakfast in bed is a good one bowl of strawberry nice cream topped with whatever was in my cupboard 😊

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

#breakfast #fresh #beautiful #fruitporn #fruit #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dubaifood #dubaifoodie #foodblogger #banana #nicecream #icecream #yummy #vegan #raw #rawvegan #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #breakfastinbed #mydubai #weekend (at Sufooh Beach)

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A little bit of everything never hurt nobody. Today’s breakfast in bed are little Rye cake tasters. Some are topped with freaky labneh and salmon or labneh and blueberries and others are topped with avocado and crumbly feta cheese and tomatoes or roasted turkey slices. #foodgasm #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #breakfast #breakfastinbed #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #yummy #nomnom #foodpicsbruh (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

A little bit of everything never hurt nobody. Today’s breakfast in bed are little Rye cake tasters. Some are topped with freaky labneh and salmon or labneh and blueberries and others are topped with avocado and crumbly feta cheese and tomatoes or roasted turkey slices.

#foodgasm #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #breakfast #breakfastinbed #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #yummy #nomnom #foodpicsbruh (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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4 months ago I hit 900 followers and was over the moon🌚 Today, I hit 2000 followers and I’m pretty much on Cloud 9☁ Thank you to all my readers who’ve actually found my content interesting. #thankyou #2 #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #theofficialkalista #chocolate #raw #vegan #fruit #fruitporn #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dubai #mydubai #love #delicious #yummy (at Dubai Media City)

4 months ago I hit 900 followers and was over the moon🌚 Today, I hit 2000 followers and I’m pretty much on Cloud 9☁

Thank you to all my readers who’ve actually found my content interesting.

#thankyou #2 #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #theofficialkalista #chocolate #raw #vegan #fruit #fruitporn #food #foodporn #foodgasm #dubai #mydubai #love #delicious #yummy (at Dubai Media City)

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When you know you’re going to have a tough day, wake up early, work out, and have a killer breakfast in bed. Here’s to getting through today. 🍺 #foodporn #foodgasm #nomnom #love #fit #thin #healthy #healthyeating #healthyliving #foodblogger #eat #hungry #yummy #delicious #breakfast #breakfastinbed #fruit #straightupbananas

When you know you’re going to have a tough day, wake up early, work out, and have a killer breakfast in bed. Here’s to getting through today. 🍺

#foodporn #foodgasm #nomnom #love #fit #thin #healthy #healthyeating #healthyliving #foodblogger #eat #hungry #yummy #delicious #breakfast #breakfastinbed #fruit #straightupbananas

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There’s nothing like a good breakfast to get you out of bed. Today’s breakfast in bed is a peanut butter oats and Chia seed pudding topped with walnut, bananas, and a sprinkle of more Chia seeds. If you’re a peanut butter or bonoffee pie fan–this healthy pudding is for you! What makes you want to get out of bed? #healthy #healthyeating #peanutbutter #foodporn #foodgasm #love #thin #bestthingever #foodphotooftheday #fastfood #easyrecipe #breakfast #delicious #instagood #picoftheday #straightupbananas #foodlover #yummy #eat #hungry

There’s nothing like a good breakfast to get you out of bed.

Today’s breakfast in bed is a peanut butter oats and Chia seed pudding topped with walnut, bananas, and a sprinkle of more Chia seeds.

If you’re a peanut butter or bonoffee pie fan–this healthy pudding is for you!

What makes you want to get out of bed?

#healthy #healthyeating #peanutbutter #foodporn #foodgasm #love #thin #bestthingever #foodphotooftheday #fastfood #easyrecipe #breakfast #delicious #instagood #picoftheday #straightupbananas #foodlover #yummy #eat #hungry

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I had to try out the recipe with fresh blueberries, I just couldn’t help myself! Blueberry and cashew ‘cheesecake’ bars. So good, so healthy, and so chewy! 😍 Recipe will be up on the blog soon! #foodporn #foodgasm #lootahpremiumfoods #food #foodie #thin #fruit #beautiful #dessert #fruitporn #healthy #raw #vegan #feedfeed #sweet #amazing #instagood #love #igers #organic #ilovefood #eat #hungry #yummy #tweegram #recipe #instagood #tastespotting #straightupbananas

I had to try out the recipe with fresh blueberries, I just couldn’t help myself!

Blueberry and cashew ‘cheesecake’ bars. So good, so healthy, and so chewy! 😍

Recipe will be up on the blog soon!

#foodporn #foodgasm #lootahpremiumfoods #food #foodie #thin #fruit #beautiful #dessert #fruitporn #healthy #raw #vegan #feedfeed #sweet #amazing #instagood #love #igers #organic #ilovefood #eat #hungry #yummy #tweegram #recipe #instagood #tastespotting #straightupbananas

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Raw, vegan ‘Nutella’ cookie dough

I’m sure I’ve mentioned a thousand times already how much the mister LOVES Nutella. And after tirelessly scrolling and double tapping my Instagram feed @straightupbananas, I found this beautiful creation from @BestofVegan 

So here’s my rendition of this glorious recipe. I promise you, it’s so tasty, healthy, and quick to make that you’ll find yourself making 20 batches in your sleep. (Is that not a thing?)


Ingredients:

Cookie Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of toasted hazelnuts
  • 6-7 dates
  • 1 tsp of vanilla
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • a pinch of sea salt

Chocolate Ingredients: 

  • 3 tbspn of organic cocoa powder
  • 3 tbspn of room temperature coconut oil

How to get it done:

First things first. Lightly toast your nuts (hehe..nuts) in a skillet for ten minutes. While the nuts are toasting place the dates in some warm water. 

Then, place the toasted nuts between two paper towels and rub while warm to remove the skins.

Drain the dates from the water well and place dates and hazelnuts along with the rest of the cookie ingredients in a good processor and blitz till it forms a coarse dough.

Roll the dough into medium-sized balls and indent the balls with your thumb. Your thumbprint will be filled with all the chocolatey goodness in the world.

Mix your chocolate ingredients together, and dollop chocolate in the holes left from your thumb–if you’ve got some leftover like I did, just drench the cookies in chocolate (Hey! It’s good for you, right?)

Place the cookies in the fridge for an hour or two and them eat them like the pig that you secretly are at home.

Again, I cannot stress enough how easy, healthy, and quick this chocolate fix is. Go straight-up bananas with me and give them a go. PLEASE!

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