NATEUR COOKING:

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. It’s still possible to indulge in your favorite foods, while nourishing your body at the same time. Here we share clean versions of delicious recipes that will leave you feeling and looking incredible and not to mention, incredibly satisfied

Name:  Maja Brekalo

Instagram:  @delicious_and_healthy_by_maya

Job description:  Cookbook Author, Content Creator and Food Photographer

Eat this for:

Start your day with chlorella and a big glass of room temperature water to promote detoxification and a healthy gut (with it comes healthy and glowing hair and skin).

Have a nourishing breakfast every morning. I like having a super packed smoothie consisting of oat milk, oats, flax or chia seeds, psyllium husk (best food for our gut bacteria) and superfoods (plus greens and fruits). This way I’m sure I got my body fueled with all the right stuff at the beginning of my day.

Have a versatile diet that consists of lots of veggies (preferably seasonal). Also, some whole grains, legumes, good protein in the form of tofu or seitan, as well as small amounts of fruits, nuts, seeds, algae, and fermented food, again to promote a healthy gut.

Use lots of herbs and spices. They make food taste amazing but at the same time make it easier to digest and have amazing health benefits.

Lastly but also importantly, plant-based whole food is so freaking delicious when well prepared! Having whole, nourishing, but also tasty and well-seasoned food feeds all my senses and makes me happy.

Top 3 Instagram accounts for inspiration: 

On Instagram I follow the accounts related to food, travel, and home. There are so many that inspire me daily, but since I’m here to talk mainly about food let me give you my three top inspirational food accounts:

@rainbowplantlife as a whole rounder

@rainbownourishements for amazing sweet and savory recipes

@feastingonfruit for to-die-for sweet recipes.

Favorite skin food ingredient and why: 

Lots of greens. Especially superfood greens like chlorella, spirulina, and wheatgrass for detoxification and promoting a clear complexion and healthy glow.

Good fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils (extra virgin olive and coconut oil) for nourishing your skin from the inside out, and keeping it soft and supple.

Go-to quick, healthy meal: 

A nourishing smoothie for breakfast.

A rice or quinoa bowl with veggies, seasonings and nuts for lunch or dinner

Skincare mantra: 

A superpower morning routine which consists of a cold shower, some face yoga, and a face massage (I use jade roller).

Natural skincare: a balm to clean the face, toner, face oil/serum, moisturizer and (very important) use SPF all year round to prevent premature aging.

Recipe:  

The Fudgiest Vegan Brownies

This must be one of my absolute favorite chocolate desserts of all time. These brownies are so incredibly fudgy. They literally melt in your mouth, and they taste like they’re loaded with eggs, butter, and sugar, even though they’re made with healthier vegan ingredients. They’re ultra-indulgent and almost too good to be true, but the recipe is super quick and easy. I am quite sure that you’ll be amazed with the result you’ll achieve with these simple wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 leveled cup (130 g) brown rice flour

2⁄3 cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp (10 g) tapioca starch

1⁄3 tsp Himalayan salt

1⁄2 tsp baking powder

1⁄2 cup (65 g) coconut sugar

1 cup (240 ml) hot water

1⁄2 cup (120 ml) melted extra virgin coconut oil

11⁄2 tsp (8 ml) lemon juice

1⁄4 to 1⁄3 cup (50 to 65 g) vegan dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, divided

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 7-inch (18-cm) square ceramic

baking dish. Grease the bottom and sides, and line it with parchment paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, tapioca starch, salt, and baking powder into a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix, using a whisk to evenly distribute the ingredients.

In a small bowl, whisk the sugar with the hot water to dissolve it and leave to cool.

Once the sugar and water has cooled down to warm but not hot, make a well in the

dry ingredients and add the sugar-water mixture, oil, and lemon juice. Fold gently to combine, then whisk to get the smooth batter. Add the chocolate chips, reserving a small handful to decorate the brownies.

Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, gently shake to level and smooth the top. Scatter the reserved chocolate on top and bake for 20 minutes.

When the brownies are done, the center will still seem a little undone and wobbly, but it will set in the pan while it cools down. Let the brownies cool down completely before slicing. Store the brownies in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

If you serve them directly from the refrigerator, they will be firm and resemble a chocolate bar; when served at room temperature, they will be incredibly fudgy.