Now, if you haven’t already been acquainted, I would like to introduce you and your tastebuds and stomach to the Buddha Bowl! Some have described them as multiple downward dogs and soul rectifying therapy in a few mere mouthfuls! (Just setting your expectations here!)
So what is a Buddha bowl you might ask, well… it is a bowl so packed full of food that it has a rounded bump or “belly” on the top much like the swollen belly of a Buddha. Oh, and did I mention that they are full of nutrients and damn tasty!
Now, before I get into recipes, how-toos and whys, I am going to put a Candice spin on things! What I am going to give you is a different Buddha Bowl recipe for each season that makes best use of the produce that is freshest in that season. The reasons being that you can easily get your hands on the ingredients, they will be better for you as they haven’t been in storage etc. and better on the hip pocket to boot!
So here goes, two Summer Buddha Bellies to choose from… I mean Buddha Bowls!
Biotic Plus Buddha
Ingredients:
- Chili
- Carrot
- Saurkraght
- Radicchio
- 1 zucchini
- 1/2 fennel bulb
- 1 avocado
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. lemon juice1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 4 tbsp. sauerkraut
- 1 Soft boiled egg
Making the Buddha: Grate the carrots and zucchini. Slice the chili, then just scoop the avocado out of its bed or slice it up and chop up some spring onions. Place all prepared ingredients onto the bed of lettuce. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and give it a good toss with your hands. Divide the salad in two bowls, place a generous tablespoon of sauerkraut in each bowl. Finally, top each bowl with a fried or boiled egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds and maybe even a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve immediately.
Green belly Buddha
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sweet peas or frozen
- 2 eggs – scrambled
- 1 zucchini
- 4 asparagus sticks
- 1 Avocado
- ¼ of a bunch of broccoli heads
- ½ bulb of Fennel
- 1 tablespoon of tahini
- ½ lemon
- Drizzle of olive oil
Making the Buddha: Grate or thinly slice the zucchini and fennel, break off mini broccoli trees from the broccoli head, dice or slice the avocado, in a separate bowl crack open two eggs mix together with salt and pepper in add your zucchini and broccoli then add it all into your frying pan with a dollop of coconut oil. Mix for 3-4 minutes then assemble all ingredients together in your Buddha bowl till it’s over flowing with goodness. To finish drizzle over tahini, olive oil and squeeze of lemon.
Nutritional benefits of these recipes
The seasons are a source of natural diversity, and this is why changes in growing conditions from spring to summer or fall to winter are considered essential for balance for both the earth's resources and its life forms.
Once upon a time, people ate certain foods only when they were readily available, accessible and in season. These days, however, it is extremely easy for us to forget about seasons when we eat. Thanks to modern food processing techniques and worldwide distribution of resources, most foods remain available year-round. Grocery store shelves look the exact same in December as they do mid July, and we are able to buy any type of food we want irrespective of its seasonal availability.
Just because technology makes it possible for us to have oranges in winter, however, doesn't mean we should eat all foods whenever we please. The disadvantages of living in a technologically advanced period with modern day food practices have revealed themselves among us in the form of an increasing number of food intolerances and allergies, higher levels of obesity, modern chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes and much more.
Why use these ingredients
- They are sourced locally which in turn is better for environment as less fuel is used to transport, organic, better for you, when in season.
- They can be found at the markets and it is way cheaper to shop within seasons.
- All these ingredients contain in both Buddha bowls are full of antioxidants, fibre and good to boost immunity and prepare your body for the seasons changes.
- They contain liver-cleansing greens.
- Pre and probiotic properties to line your bellies with rid of those nasty bacteria from all the silly season’s party drinks!
- Yummy combinations!
- #eatwithyoureyesfirst.
Enjoy!
CR xx