Nordic detox diet

I've finally found a diet for me --- the Nordic detox diet lets you eat two grams of carbs for every gram of protein! This balance of carbs and protein is called the "golden ratio" and allows the system to stay lean according to Dr. Astrup of University of Copenhagen.  OK, sounds good to me!  But here's the scoop, buy one of those nutrient-rich, dense blocks of bread that you normally skip called "Dark European Rye" and sugar-free muesli, cereal, barley, peas, corn and potatoes.  That's carbs folks, not two doughnuts for every slice of bacon. ;) I love to eat this way and luckily for me I'm headed to the land of Nordic eating soon!  I just have to stay away "fika" or choose fruit with my coffee or this cake which is reputed to be "The world's healthiest cake". I haven't tried it yet but it looks good.  If you make it please leave a comment. Off the the gym, enjoy!

Whole Orange & Almond Yogurt Cake

2 small oranges, peeled and whole

vegetable oil or spray for the pan

2/3 cup low fat ricotta cheese

1/2 cup coconut palm sugar or maple sugar*

2 large eggs

1-1/2 c almond flour or almond meal

1/2 cup self rising flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 cups fat-free Greek yoghurt

confectioners sugar for serving

2 small oranges, peeled and segmented

In pan cover 2 whole oranges with water, boil, drain, and add more water to cover then boil again. Simmer on low for one hour adding more water if necessary. Drain, cool completely. 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly grease 9" round cake pan and line with parchment paper. 

Quarter cooled oranges, discard seeds. Beat cooked oranges and ricotta until smooth. In bowl, beat sugar and eggs until thick, about 3 minutes. Fold in orange mixture. Stir in flours, bakin powder and 1/2 cup yoghurt until well combined.

Pour batter into pan, bake 70 minutes. If browning too fast cover with foil.  Cool on wire rack for 20 minutes, then invert onto a plate and flip back onto wire rack to cool completely.  Garnish with sugar, orange segments and remaining yoghurt. Serves 12

Per serving: 200 calories, 17 g. carbs and 10 g. protein
* from what I can tell you can easily substitute regular sugar, but it would add calories

Spider-Man Grabs Coffee

I'm in a "green-coffee machine" AKA Starbies enjoying a cascara coffee, which tastes just like a regular espresso to my philistine tastebuds, and the AC!  This movie is pretty fun.  Maybe time for fika?

Semester!

I am vacation enjoying this view. Vacation is so good for you, mentally and physically but sometimes, lets face it, it can be stressful too. My stress comes from trying to make this trip "a once in a lifetime experience!" for my family (whatever that means) and coordinating with other people's schedules while doing work on the side.  What's your hidden holiday stressors?  Whatever they are I hope that you can forget them and just breathe. We all need a break.  Enjoy! :)