I love food. I spent the first half of my working life in restaurants. I love sandwiches and cakes and cookies. I love fresh organic fruits and vegetables. I love oatmeal and cous cous. I love eggs and goats cheese. Do I feel that any of this contradicts with my life as a yogini? No, not at all. Never.

The Suburban Yogini is about finding balance both on your yoga mat and in life in general. I believe in a yoga practice that is right for you and I believe in healthy living and eating that is right for you. We’re only human, it’s OK to like cakes. It’s even OK to eat meat and fish and eggs if you want to.

I don’t believe that as yogis and yoginis we are in competition with each other as to who can live in the most austere fashion, who can be the most spiritual.

I believe that life is too short to deprive ourselves completely of all pleasure.

I believe that to find balance we need to be mindful about what we eat, where we source our foods from and which stores we shop at.

I turned vegetarian at the age of 13 and have dabbled with veganism a most my adult life (I’m lactose intolerant so alternatives must be sought!). These days I refuse to be strict with myself. I live with an omnivore and whilst I am most happy on a predominantly vegetarian diet, I do eat eggs and fish on occassion.

Please feel free to read more of my thoughts on diet here and on mindful eating here.

Here are some of my favourite recipes.  Please do let me know if you would like me to recommend any particular recipes.  I still enjoy “veganizing” recipes and have tried to provide vegan alternatives where I can.

The Basics
Homemade stock

Vegan Treats
Vegan pancakes
Vegan Banana Date Muffins
Vegan chocolate cupcakes
Vegan Brownies
Vegan Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
Vegan Banana and Almond Bread
Irish Treacle Bread
Vegan Flapjacks
Spiced Vegan Fruit Cake
Summer Berry Pudding (a work in progress!)

Breakfasts
Apple Porridge Pancakes
Croissant Huevos Rancheros

Starters and Sides
Vegan Dips
Vegan Potato Salad
Gazpacho (vegan)
Pod fritters

Mains
Chili Non Carne (vegan-ish)
Quick Vegetable Tangine (vegan)
Asparagus Risotto (vegan)
Chickpea Burgers (option to veganise)
Food in a bowl!

Desserts
Rhubarb Crumble (vegan)
Little Zucchini Cakes (option to veganise)

Seasons
Halloween Pumpkin Tart
Bonfire Night Parkin (dad’s famous recipe)
St Paddy’s Day Potato Cakes (vegan)