8 Gluten-free + Vegan Alternatives for Pasta

reading time: 3 min

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Hello my friends,

ever since I developed a gluten intolerance a couple of years back, I did not eat any bread or pasta until a couple of months ago, to be honest. The main reason for that is that "gluten-free" products are usually 3-4 times more expensive than products containing gluten.

That is why I put together this list of 8 different gluten-free (and vegan) alternatives for pasta, along with recipe suggestions. 

Let me know which is your favourite, and what other substitutes for grain pasta you know!

Maple Nut Granola

reading time: 1 min

When it comes to granola, it's all about the crunch and the clusters, am i right? While homemade granola is great with or without cluster, a granola that clusters is 10x better than one that doesn't cluster!

This recipe is simple, nutritious and nutty sweet. Oh, and addictive. And it clusters!!  

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream & Pancakes

reading time: 1 min

Preparation time: 20 mins
Main ingredients: pumpkin, banana, buckwheat
difficulty level: easy
serves: 2 - 4
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, low-fat

Guess how I spent this rainy, gloomy January Sunday? Making gorgeous buckwheat spelt pancakes with melting pumpkin pie nicecream!

The pancakes are light and satisfying at the same time, and the ice cream is fluffy, creamy, spicy, sweet but not too sweet. I used a Hokkaido pumpkin for this recipe, which is my absolute favourite squash since the skin is soft and edible, and the pumpkin flesh is extraordinarily sweet and tasty.

Homemade Granola (easy & fat-free)

reading time: 1 min

Ever since coming back from South Africa i have been craving granola. Cornflakes. Muesli. Anything crunchy that i can drown in soy milk and bury with fruits.

So this is when my sudden urge to make my own granola emerged.

January Essentials /16

reading time: 3 min

Hey friends,

the old year has passed, and the new year, the fresh year has begun. 

Ever since returning from South Africa, i have struggled to find back into everyday life back at home, and instead of eating porridge (as i used to do before taking off to SA) i've been eating lukewarm cereal with lots of fresh fruits for breakfast (perhaps because it "reminds" me of the tropical papaya and mango bowls i had when i was in SA).

But apart from this summery muesli breakfast habit, winter has welcomed me with snow and sledding, ice skating, drinking cold caffeine-free coffee and spending the day inside, listening to audio books and sewing some clothes.

Here's what has been essential this month so far:

Breakfast Bowls

Green Porridge

reading time: 1 min

Preparation time: 15 mins
Main ingredients: oats, wheatgrass, soy milk
difficulty level: easy
serves: 1-2
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free, low-fat

[OUTFIT] Winter Blues

reading time: 3 min

Winter is a wonderland. There's something wonderful in the air - the sound of scattering feet, the smell of baked goods, twinkling lights, a hunch of snow. I love it. I love the cold, contrasted by the warmth of fluffy blankets and socks, scarves and knit pullovers. I love the music, cheesy and crackling in the speakers. I love the smell of the frosty cold, foreshadowing the nearing snow. I love the snow, crunching under my boots, all bundled up in a coat. I love the feeling of warming my freezing hands at a cup of sweet milk tea. I love biting into a soft, fresh out of the oven cookie, and the smell of cinnamon filling our kitchen. I love kissing the cold tip of the nose of Mr Fox, and the numb, tingling feeling of my icy lips just starting to warm up again. I love winter.

Travel Diary | Cape Town & South Africa

reading time: 5 min

I'm such a travel monkey.

But now I'm back home, guys! And I feel weird. My room still looks like an explosion and I miss the warmth of South Africa, the fruity breakfasts by the pool and the freedom of being on holidays.

To be perfectly honest with you, i never felt the urge to go to Africa. I feel more connected with Asian culture, especially Buddhist countries and ancient legends, and the things i associated with African countries were things like war, poverty, oppression, apartheid, and a land of many scars. However, since my boyfriend's mum moved to South Africa earlier this year, we decided to visit her and her husband over Christmas and travel Western Cape Province with two of our friends. And now, after almost 3 weeks of sunshine and adventure, it's quite hard for me to get back to a rainy, gloomy, everyday life Germany -.-