Deconstructed Healthy Sushi Bowl

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I know that many of you have made some of your New Years goals- which likely include losing weight. I am not one to preach about how you should be living your life, but I did want to share some of my thoughts on resolutions. As we reach a birthday, new year or other milestone that is meaningful in some way, we often set different goals. It is great to check in and assess our lives to take note of what we need to improve upon or perhaps to reward ourselves on what has been achieved.

This year, instead of setting that familiar measurable goal of losing weight, consider altering your entire lifestyle. Healthy eating, exercise, etc..is my lifestyle. It is not an obsession nor is it a means of looking my physical best. My lifestyle is one that makes me feel great both physically and mentally. Do I eat junk sometimes? YES. Do I drink sometimes? Yes. Do I skip workouts? Hell yes! But I do all of these things in moderation. Balance is key. Too much of anything is never a good thing and that sometimes includes an obsession with a healthy living. I understand that might sound silly to many of you, but if eating a few Doritos sends you down a downward hill of self-hate, guilt, and obsessive exercise.. there is something unhealthy about that too. Life is about finding the balance in everything (this also includes work and relationships).

Now onto the recipe! I love this recipe for many reasons…

1. I don’t have to waste my money ordering sushi anymore.
2. The possibilities to make it your own are endless.
3. Makes a delicious side dish for any protein (think tofu, raw or cooked salmon, chicken, chickpeas etc…)
4. It is so easy to make and super cheap!

Here’s how you make it!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked brown rice or about 4 cups cooked ***(see notes, follow directions on the bag)
• 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
• 3-4 tbsp tamari or gluten free soya sauce (or to taste)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp wasabi paste (optional, more if you like it hot!)
• 1/4 cup chopped pickled ginger
• 1 sheet of nori (dried seaweed) cut into thin strips
• 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup seeded and chopped cucumber
• 1 avocado diced

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to directions. See note below.

2. In a small sauce pan over medium heat, whisk rice wine vinegar, tamari, honey and wasabi until combined. Pour mixture evenly over rice and stir until well coated. Taste and adjust seasonings to your taste.

saltier= more tamari
tangier= more vinegar
spicier = more wasabi
sweeter= more honey

3. Mix in pickled ginger, nori, cucumber, avocado and sesame seeds.

4. Serve alone or with protein of choice.

***I love this brand of short grain brown rice for this recipe. It mimics the texture of white sushi rice. I cook mine with splash of avocado oil and salt. It comes out sticky and fluffy- perfect for sushi rice! Cook according to bag directions.