DRESS WITH 40 ITEMS OR LESS IN 40 DAYS

It's been a month since I started going vegan and gluten free for 40 days. I must admit it wasn't easy!  There are days that I wanted to quit but I am still holding on. I kept reminding myself this is for charities.  So please support and help whenever you can. I still have 9 more days to go and I will give you my thoughts and experiences on my next blog once I've completed these challenges. For a week I also took the pledge to go plastic free. http://www.plasticfreejuly.org I also updated my 40 challenges.  So please check my previous blog out.

For the month of August I will be doing a few more challenges on my list. But this blog will focus more on #36 of my challenge, make over my wardrobe and dress with 40 items or less in 40 days.  This is loosely based on Project 333. http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ 

If you want to join me on this challenge, here are the rules:

WHEN:  For 40 days (It's never too late to start so join in anytime!)

WHAT:  40 items including clothing, accessories, jewellery, outerwear and shoes

WHAT NOT:  These items are not counted as part of the 40 items - wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewellery that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)

HOW:  Choose your 40 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement and put it out of sight.

WHAT ELSE:  Remember this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don't fit or are in poor condition, replace them.  

WHICH CHARITY:  OXFAM

WHY:  Since 2008 M&S in partnership with OXFAM  have been shwopping old clothes to help OXFAM's work to end poverty.  Shwopped clothes are resold, reused and recycled providing clean water, saving lives and re-building communities.  For more information please visit M&S website.  

So join me it will be fun and you will be helping OXFAM with all their wonderful work!

If you want to join me, please leave me a comment here or to any of my other social media and share your experience with a #ChallenJing40  

https://twitter.com/BbJing23
https://www.instagram.com/BbJing23/
https://www.facebook.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/BbJing23

Thank you for being so cool and supportive!

VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE OKONOMIYAKI

I have been wanting to try this recipe out for ages and today I finally cooked this for dinner.   I've searched the internet, watched several videos for some inspirations and learned that there are different types of okonomiyaki.  The only thing that doesn't change on the recipe is the cabbage.   Great way to eat cabbage if you're not a big fan and I got my husband to eat one of his least favourite vegetables which was amazing! And here is my take on the vegan and gluten free okonomiyaki.  Hope you like it! (serves 2)

For the ingredients you will need:

1 cup gluten free plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon milled flaxseed (egg substitute)

3/4 cup hot water

1 packet Clearspring organic brown rice instant miso soup paste (or alternative miso paste)

Fry light cooking spray (I used coconut oil)

2 cups thinly sliced cabbage

1 cup beansprout

1 spring onions chopped

1/2 cup Cauldron marinated tofu pieces

vegan mayo for garnish (substitute for vegan kewpie mayonnaise)

Sweet Mandarin barbecue sauce for garnish (substitute for okonomi sauce)

Roasted Sweet Potato chips for garnish

1.  In a bowl add 1 cup of plain flour and baking powder and whisk together.

2.  In a jug add 1 tablespoon milled flaxseed, 3/4 cup hot water and the miso paste whisk together to combine and set aside.

3.  In a non stick hot pan spray a thin layer of oil and cook the cabbage (in traditional okonomiyaki recipe you add raw cabbage to the batter mix I prefer to slightly cook the vegetables).  Remove the cabbage and then slightly cook the beansprout.

4.  Add the miso liquid to the flour mixture and whisk until the batter is free from lump.

5.  Add the spring onions, cabbage, beansprout and tofu pieces.

6.  Traditionally okonomiyaki is cooked on the grill/griddle but I used a non stick pan.  Spray the coconut oil in the hot pan.  Add the batter mixture to form a size of a pancake, cover with lid while cooking.  Cook both sides until golden brown.

7.  Serve immediately with your choice of garnish on top.  I had some roasted sweet potatoes.  Enjoy!

BANANA AND PEANUT BUTTER PANCAKE

yields 2 pancakes

Ingredients:

1 banana, medium size
1 tablespoon milled flaxseed, I used Linwoods
1 tablespoon milled chia seed, I used Chia Bia
1 tablespoon gluten free oat bran, I used Bob's Red Mill
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, or more if you prefer your pancake sweet
100 ml almond milk, more if you don't like it thick
pinch of cinnamon
coconut oil for frying
yogurt
blueberries
strawberries


1.  Blend the first 8 ingredients in a food processor until smooth (I used my smoothie maker).  Add extra milk if you prefer your batter thin in consistency.
2.  In a non stick pan or griddle add coconut oil over a very low heat swirl the coconut oil around the pan until melted and the pan is well coated with oil.
3.  Add the batter and fry gently until golden brown and flip onto the other to cook.
4.  Serve immediately with yogurt, blueberries and strawberries or any fruit you prefer.  Drizzle with more maple syrup on top.