Super Duper Yummy Ice Cream Pie (No-bake and guilt-free!)

This raw banana ice cream pie is a creamy, dreamy, refreshing, utterly satisfying post-dinner treat. I mean, come on, who doesn't love dessert? About a year ago, I discovered a secret that changed my world... but really.

For the "ice cream":

Now, if you don't know what I'm talking about, I suggest you pay VERY close attention. Here is a method by which to make "ice cream" without an ice cream maker, with just one ingredient (maybe 2!) and which is totally healthy. Take one or more bananas (you need three medium sized ones for this recipe) and chop it/them up into coins. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely frozen. Place the frozen banana slices in a food processor. If you want the ice cream to be reasonably sweet, add some agave nectar, maple syrup, honey or brown sugar. Power it up and give it a good whirl (3 mins or so) until the bananas go from huge chunks to a crumbly mess to a beautiful frozen yogurt consistency. At this point, you could serve the banana "ice cream" immediately, freeze for a more ice cream like texture, or create a whole new dessert, as I will show you with the following ice cream pie.

Variations are numerous:

- cocoa powder

- any other frozen fruit

- peanut or any other nut butter

- chocolate chips/m&m's/marshmallows

- anything that tickles your fancy

For the pie crust (makes 4 individual servings):

Take approximately half a cup of almonds and a bit more than half a cup of pitted dates. I soaked my almonds in water and peeled off the skins as I have read that the skin is actually an inhibitor and prevents your body from absorbing the health benefits. I roasted my almonds in the oven for 5 minutes to enhance the nutty flavor and crisp them up a bit. Soak the dates in warm water for half an hour and drain. Once the almonds and dates are prepared as you wish, whip out your food processor again and let the almonds process until they are small chunks or like a powder, depending on your preference. Dump in the dates and process again until it forms a clumpy paste. There - it's done!

Assembling the pie:

Take four serving bowls and press down a layer of the pie crust. Here's where I was a bit naughty. I put a nice dollop of chocolate peanut butter and spread it on top of the pie crust (skip this if you want to keep it completely "clean"). Use a spatula and spread the banana ice cream on top of the crust or peanut butter and freeze for two hours until set.

Take the pie of the freezer approximately two minutes before serving so that all the components have time to soften just the slightest bit.

Relish the goodness!

Versatile Breakfast Parfait

My choice for this morning: green kiwi, almonds, dates, greek honey yogurt, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, soaked oats.... the options are never-ending.

Easy, delicious, nutritious breakfast for everyone and will power you through till lunch! Can be prepped the night before or even put together at the last minute. I can't really call it a recipe; it's more like a method, an art, if you like..
So here goes, you can really put anything (within limits!) and layer it in a glass or bowl and call it a parfait. I have listed numerous options that you can then choose from and layer in any proportion and layer that you wish.

For the Breakfast Parfait
Fruit
- cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, apricots or any dried fruit, really
- fresh fruits: everything and anything rolls. [my favorites: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, nectarines, bananas]

Milk/Yogurt
- regular milk, soy milk, almond milk
- fruit-flavored yogurt
- greek yogurt (plain or flavored)

Oats/Granola
- homemade granola
- store-bought granola
- rolled oats pre soaked in milk, yogurt or water

Sweetener
- honey, agave, maple syrup

Nuts and Seeds
- flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
- almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts
- toasted coconut

Other Toppings
- nut butter
- pumpkin puree
- applesauce
- chocolate chips (shhh. I won't tell!)
- dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa powder

Get designing and relish your own customized breakfast!

Running with Friends - Always Fun!

Today we had no school. Whee! Nah. School's great.. Anyways, I was up bright and early to go running with my friend who lives in the apartment building right next to mine. We went for a short, 30 minute run and didn't even end up running the whole thing, but who cares? The only bad part was this lousy Singaporean humidity - don't get me wrong, I love Singapore; but the weather? Eh. Not so much. I was dripping in sweat and my shirt was soaked. Ah, the glory..

Moving on, we got a sorta-workout and did some chatting and catching up (always important). Two in one! Sometimes, it's not only about the workout itself, but the environment and the experiences. So if I have a chance to run with my friend, I'm gonna grab it no matter what the impact is on the workout.

Even better if you can get 100% effectiveness from both aspects - a hardcore workout and fun times with friends.

Basically, the gist of the post is that working out with friends is immensely more satisfying, motivational and downright fun. Once in a while, I encourage you to grab a friend (or few), get some fresh air, push each other and go for a run. 

My Average Daily Workout

On a school day, I don't really have much time to spend doing non-academic stuff - ie. watch TV, go shopping (not that you would expect this) and the same applies to exercising. On such days, when I have limited time, this means that I need to squeeze in a decent-intensity workout into around 45 minutes. I have followed this plan of going down to the gym for about 45 minutes every weekday for the last month and it has worked perfectly. The workout is short enough that I am not spending too much time in the gym, yet long enough to get my heart rate up and keep me fit... and that's why I love it. It took weeks of experimenting and trial to find a routine that worked for me and one that I wouldn't get bored of.

Recently, I have started listening to music when I workout (I never used to!) and realized that it really helps me keep focused and motivated. Also, science has proven that the beat of the music keeps your motion and rhythm and takes your mind of your breath (panting..). I have made a playlist with 10 songs that work for me and it comes to just about 45 minutes. This routine has set in so well that going to the gym is actually a great relieve from school work and I'm genuinely excited to get moving and sweaty.

The Workout:
20 minutes on the treadmill (around 3.5km)
15 minutes on the stationary bike (2 minutes high resistance; 2 minutes low resistance - then keep repeating)
5 minutes - 1)weights and arm strength 2)alternate with rowing every other day
5 minutes - ab/core workout

It gives a whole body workout and leaves you feeling re-energized and packs in a boosting punch.
Hope it works for you! Please leave me a comment if you have any other ideas and as always, there's absolutely no need to follow my formula exactly and vary it as you like so that you feel the same energy and motivation as I do!