Thursday 26 November 2015

~ NAMASTE ~ | No comments:

I WAKE UP TO THIS.
It has been almost 2 months since I packed my bags and left the bitter cold in London for my adventure and new start in Sunny Israel, and I couldn't be happier. We are almost in December and yet I find myself strolling by the sea in 25 degree heat with a girl who in no time has become like a sister. Life is bliss. However, leaving your home at the tender age of 22 without any of your family and friends wasn't always going to be easy, it is inevitable to encounter a few hiccups along the way. This week I have felt homesick, and at times sad. Not because I want to go home, but because sometimes when things go wrong or when you are alone for too long you yearn for the warm embrace of those you love most and that is understandable. On Tuesday, I found myself in floods of tears after already feeling super-sensitive and a domino-effect of things going wrong. I genuinely lay in my bed reading the beautiful cards and letters given to me by my best friends, cuddling my teddy bear and sobbing, all I wanted to do was see them! How old am I? No but seriously, I still cuddle my teddy-bear at night, I am not prepared to stop now and I am not ashamed to say it.


I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22!!!


The thing is, this is all part of growing up, I have many international friends from near and far, we all travel and move on to new and exciting stages in our lives, but we all remain close and whilst it may be a while till we next see each other, our friendship will never change. I am surrounded constantly by interesting, intelligent, driven and inspiring friends who are forever breaking new boundaries, like me. Here in Israel I am so lucky to live with a group of girls who, already are like family, and when one of us is down, the other will pull you straight back up, that's what friends are for right?

"All the best people are slightly mad"
PREACH
Street Art in Tel Aviv Port outside as part of a fashion boutique

Today Sally, my roomie from New Jersey is the one feeling homesick, I mean it is thanksgiving and when you are so used to spending Thanksgiving every year with your family, it's tradition and being here breaks tradition. The holiday days can sure prove to be the hardest. Whilst I am a born and bred Brit and regretfully have never celebrated Thanksgiving in my life, we decided to take the day off school...NAUGHTY, get up early, put on our sweats and take a stroll into town. We strolled along the seaside from Ramat Aviv down to the port of Tel Aviv, stopping for squats, lunges and some obligatory yoga poses, given that the backdrop was TOO ADORABLE. Sally as you can see is far more advanced than me, 6 or 7 yoga classes and being a dancer for 16 years meant that my dancer hands crept in rather that the straight fingered pose aimed to allow all energy to flow through the body. Namaste Dolls.



Throwback to when I was a cheerleader LOL

My ATTEMPT...not quite there yet :P





The gorgeous Sally and I walked for 3-4 hours, stopping for coffee and to browse the colourful Israeli market full of local produce and inspiration for my next recipe creation. I honestly wake up pinching myself, I wake up every morning and no day is ever the same, I feel inspired by everything and everyone around me, it's powerful. I feel so blessed to be able to spend my days so beautifully like today, it really was a wonderful day and I haven't even gone out dancing yet, the best is yet to come...

Kisses,

Bea  {x}

DINE WITH BEA: Orange, Pear, Walnut & Gorgonzola Salad with Fig Vinagarette | No comments:



Make yourself a healthy and SUPER FLAVOURFUL lunch in no more than 8 minutes, come on Dolls...CHOP CHOP!

INGREDIENTS (couldn't do it without 'em):

~ Handful of Lettuce (I used soft lettuce leaves as opposed to the crunchy Romanian lettuce)
~ 1 Red Pear
~ Handful of Cherry Tomatoes
~ 1/2 Orange THE JUICIEST KIND
~ Blue Cheese 
(I opted for a creamy one, I can't lie and say I know which because the packet is in Hebrew. I bought it on a whim and it's GREAT. Creamy and strong tasting.)
~ Handful of Walnuts
- Fig Vinaigrette TOTAL LOVE!!!!!!!


MAKE IT HAPPEN:

Do I have to tell ya? No, I Didn't think so, just make it look FRUITY & FABULOUS! Presentation is key and food made with love is the most delicious, heart-warming kind, don't disappoint my darling dolls..


Yeah, so 7 weeks, no no 7lbs later, oh I mean heavier my clothes are definitely feeling snug, oh SHIT. My love for cooking and mixing together flavours has spiralled out of control, I have never been so inspired by flavours and spices in my life. I have had to take a healthy turn and give the carbs a rest for a few days. MEGA LOLZ. Whilst hummus and falafel are a popular tradition here in the middle-east, I have stretched far beyond the stereotypical flavours that you can imagine here in Israel. Firstly, all the produce here is fresh, the fruit is straight off the trees...no, no I mean quite literally, cute, and the vegetables are straight outta the ground here in Israel. In London, the produce is usually imported due to the not-so-tropical climate, not so fresh as you say you are HEY. The markets here are incredible for a foodie like me, a wonderland of colour, freshness and flavour. LOVES IT!

This morning I strolled down by the port in Tel-Aviv, unlike the usual setting of the Shuk Carmel that I usually find myself wandering through week in/week out. I stumbled across a local produce stand sampling an array of fruity vinaigrette's open for testing. WOW. These are mind blowing, from Strawberry, to Fig, to Mango...I GOTTA GET EM. I bought the fig and mango, and for sure will be going back for more. The taste is delightfully pleasing the the taste buds and complements fruity salads and creamy blue cheeses. I could tell this from the moment I placed the sample in my mouth. Fruit and salad go impeccably well FYI. The recipe creation that I grace you with here is a perfect healthy treat, full of complex flavours, textures and colours. Great for a summer dinner party or just as a quick lunch, it is quick, easy and so damn DELICIOUS! Strawberries go exceptionally well with basil and balsamic vinaigrette, or balsamic reduction/syrup. Be creative, I can guarantee you it won't fail. 



THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF FRUITS & NUTS:

~ The addition/garnishing of nuts (walnuts being my fave in salads) come with many health benefits such as added dietary fibres, a wide range of essential nutrients including several B group vitamins, vitamin E and minerals such as calcium. 

~ Citrus fruits, they're not just zesty, juicy goodness, they contain VITAMIN C...which apparently helps you see better! They lower the risk of strokes, help fight weight gain, cancer and supposedly lowers stress

- An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are FULL OF FIBRE, I don't need to say the rest...you got it.

- Berries. Small but POWERFUL. Full of antioxidants, they help your body fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals that cause illness.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce the risk of heart disease, but too much fruit isn't too good as remember they are full of natural sugars. 

Enjoy preparing your summery salads dolls, and if you are in cold countries, bring some sunshine to your lunchtimes with these summery salad ideas. 

Kisses,

Bea {X} 

#DINEWITHBEA

(If any of you try my recipe's, I would LOVE to hear your feedback) :)