JANUARY 2021

Vegan meatballs in thai coconut broth

Vegan meatballs in thai coconut broth

SocialJoy

Happy New Year! Let’s hope it will be better year than 2020, although we are still in a strict lockdown, its winter, cold and possibly people are suffering from January blues in these challenging times. Looking after our mental health takes a lot of emotional energy especially if one lives alone, or in a small confined space, furloughed or not working at all. It is essential to get out every day for a walk, possibly meet one other person. I have discovered many YouTube videos to work out to, especially as I have a broken leg, exercises designed to help strengthen my core. Today I just did a 15 minute abs, so you do not need to spend hours on work outs.

It does seem the vaccine is being rolled out very quickly, so hopefully there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am thinking Easter time to not get my hopes up beforehand.

My leg is certainly on the mend, and still taking nutrients to support my bone health. At the hospital last week, they took my bloods for bone density to see if I need extra Vitamin D or other supplements.

I have also discovered Astaxanthin which is s a naturally occurring carotenoid found in nature primarily in marine organisms such as micro-algae, salmon, trout, shrimp, and other marine life. It is a potent anti-inflammatory, making it particularly important for your bones. and full of antioxidants.

I was given the new Nigella cook book for Christmas which has delicious recipes in and so far have made the one pot chicken with lemon & orzo and to jazz things up a bit, put the fire pit on outside and ate under the stars.. The black pudding meatballs were yummy too! And elderflower cake was very moist and even better than a lemon drizzle cake. Highly recommend this book with new exciting recipes.

WorkJoy

I am organising the online classes for NOTHS customers, mainly vegan, chocolate and immune classes.

I am now live on the Wellbetter site https://wellbetter.com/ which already has brought a deal in with 02 customer. This is very exciting and the topic will be Good Mood Foods online with 450 of their customers. Along with a few individual customer deals, a good start for the new year!

This week I had a 121 with a lovely couple from the USA in Rhode Island, which their son bought the voucher for Christmas, what a wonderful idea! This was on the FODMAP diet, which is dealing with severe symptoms of IBS and the gut. The class was a great success and its so rewarding to get great feedback! I will paste over what they said!

Oh Joy...you have the perfect name ...you certainly brought us all JOY today!  We loved the low-key pace , volumes of information, the true compassion about living with IBS and the YUMMY food we got to enjoy afterwards.  Everything was delicious and we are going to have the pancakes later this evening as a fun ending to a great culinary  day!

I am going to dig into your website and see what you may suggest for a possible mother-daughter anti-stress type class.  Any thoughts?  I was thinking 6 of us.

Thank you so much for your lovely energy and delightful class!

Amy, Rick , Jane and Tillie(doggie)

P.S.  Say hi to Rhubarb...great name! “

Many of us have spent the last year stressed, scared and tired – so its no wonder I personally am not participating in “dry January” this year as I think its quite miserable enough with the lockdown restrictions, but am experimenting with Veganuary, and new recipes, such as vegan (meat)balls made with black beans, ginger, and oats in a coconut thai curry broth. Very tasty! Recipe as below the photo above.

I also made some chickpea, spinach pancakes, and filled with hummus, sun dried toms and avocado. This was a Madeline Shaw recipe from her Instagram.

I do love crispy duck, but as an alternative to this Chinese favourite, i made a vegan version with mushrooms. It worked really well, as mushrooms are quite meaty in texture and the hoisin sauce completed it!

KitchenJoy

I have started the online classes now as I can just about manage to stand for one hour on my broken leg. in the kitchen. The main topics are vegan and as always been making the Seitan as its so much more delicious home made and easy to store in the fridge or freezer for future cooking. You can then add your favourite spices such as ginger, garlic and soy, as it seems to go well with asian flavours. This is more for people who are missing meat, as the texture is similar and very LOW in carbs and high in protein. Winner all round !

Please contact me for more details if you are interested in any other types of medicinal cookery classes or 121 tuition. This also applies to online private cookery classes and team work building sessions.

RED THAI VEGAN MEATBALL CURRY

SERVES 5

INGREDIENTS

Balls

1 can of black beans rinsed

100g of porridge oats

1 tbsp of cashew butter

2 garlic cloves

1 tbsp of red Thai curry paste

2 tbsps of tamari

1 tbsp of grated ginger

Curry

1 can of coconut milk

2 tsp of tamari

1 lime juiced

1 tbsp red thai curry paste 

DIRECTIONS

For the bean balls – Blend everything together and roll into balls. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 15 mins.

Place the coconut milk, tamari, thai red curry paste and lime juice in a pan. Add the balls and simmer for 10 mins.

Serve with rice and kale

. 🙂

Enjoy ……..