Yoga!

Still arguing with my old agents. Can't wait to be 100% rid of them urgh.

Anyway, today I had my first EVER session of yoga- and I enjoyed it! This is a success, as I am so inflexible, it's funny. 

I also worked as a lab techie today, which was not so fun, but hey. Things can only get better :)

I didn't feel like eating a big meal when I got back today, so I just had chocolate oatmeal with almonds and a banana for dinner. 

My craving for peanut butter is back as well, which is a problem aha. 

Need of protein!!

So I've moved into my new Uni home and had a distinct lack of food in. I went shopping today, though and whilst at the gym, discovered that I hadn't had nearly enough protein! 

Hence the mass dinner of beans cooked in houmous and coconut oil, spinach, cottage cheese and (unpictured) peanut butter smeared on rice cakes.

I also managed to go to the overflow gym as opposed to the main one and so was very confused at the lack of weights, however I still managed to get a HIIT session on the bike and some Back and Biceps training in. I was quite proud of myself, seeing as I was on the verge of convincing myself not to go at all. 

The Un-green Smoothie

Everyone knows that green smoothies are good for you- full of vitamins and minerals and just generally amazing for your health.

However, the sickly green colour tends to put most people off. This green smoothie isn't green. In fact, it's chocolate brown- and I'll bet even your kids won't know it's got spinach in it.

Choco-Banana Ungreen Smoothie

Ingredients

1/2 banana

100ml milk of choice

1-2tsp cocoa

1-2tsp sweetener (optional)

100g greek yoghurt

A handful of baby spinach 

Ice 

Recipe

Blend it all!!! 

Yummy yummy Apple Pie and Homemade Ice Cream

So a while ago my Mum made a claim that her mother's apple pie was "the best."

Now, I love apple pie. I think adore would be a better word, actually. It's potentially my favourite dessert of all time.

Anyway, I never managed to taste my nan's pie, so I was quite adamant that my mum made one for me following the same recipe.

As soon as we had grown some apples in the back garden, she set to work and promised me an apple pie tonight.

This was the finished product.

It was delicious. Potentially could have done with a bit more sugar in the apple filling, but otherwise yum!!

I also made some vanilla ice cream to go with it, adapted from a recipe I found on chocolatecoveredkatie.com. Unfortunately, I did not have the resources to make the recipe as healthy as I would have liked, but it turned out quite well regardless.

Ice Cream Recipe

90g cashews soaked in water for 6 hours

120g semi-skimmed milk

120g full-fat milk

1-2tsp vanilla extract

3-4tbsp caster sugar

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, then freeze.

An hour of freezing will give you soft-serve consistency and it's actually quite tasty. I'm looking forward to experimenting with flavours and healthier options in the future now I have the base recipe. I think I'll try different nuts as well, as I'm not a big fan of cashews.

Anyway, let me know if you try anything particularly good ;)

Oatmeal is love.

Do you know, there was once a time when I thought oatmeal was disgusting?

 It was a sadder time in my life. 

In the middle is one of my favourites- chocolate banana oatmeal- and on the left is cinnamon-apple topped with flaxseeds and chopped hazelnuts and the right is cinnamon oatmeal with a banana and flax.

What I love about oatmeal is it's so versatile; can taste really indulgent and yet is so, so good for you! 

It's full of fibre and lowers your cholesterol, without the the added goodness of any toppings you might add!

My basic recipe is as follows:

50g oats

100ml milk of choice (add extra water depending on how stodgy you like your oatmeal)

2 tsp agave

1 tsp cocoa/cinnamon/mocha powder etc.

1. Add the milk and oats to a pan and then let them simmer until the oats have started to absorb the liquid. I personally boil, let it cool for a minute or two and then eat, but that's because I'm impatient. You can definitely leave to simmer; whilst stirring; for longer to get bigger, stodgier oats. 
2. Once the oatmeal is warm, add the sweetener and flavouring. 
3. Take off the heat and scoop into a bowl. 
4. Top with whatever you fancy- you can even add more sweetener if you like! Go wild!

So, my first post on this blog!

I'm not back at uni yet, so the most exciting thing that happened today was a written argument with my old agents, but I also made a mocha milkshake and finished season 3 of Pretty Little Liars. That show just causes more and more questions the further you get in! Anyway, on to the recipe I wanted to share.

I must confess, I made these a while ago, but I figured it was as good a start as any! The recipe is adapted from an old cake cookbook my mum had when I was little, but it's definitely healthier. 

HEALTHY WALNUT CAKES

(makes 8-10)

Ingredients

4oz flour (you can use wholemeal, all-purpose, gluten-free or a combination)

1.5oz oil (olive or coconut)

2 eggs

2oz sweetener of choice (or 3-4oz of regular sugar)

1oz crushed walnuts (leave some for topping)

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Optional - 1tsp coffee; 1tsp cocoa

For the topping-

2tbsp light cream cheese

1tbsp quark or fat-free Greek yoghurt

Sweetener or sugar to taste (I recommend around 3tsp)

Nutrition (per muffin when divided into 8)

(when made with Gluten Free flour; olive oil; agave; Philadelphia extra light; fructose)

Calories - 160

Fat - 8.3g

Of which saturates - 1.1g

Sodium - 33mg

Carbohydrates - 19g

Of which sugars - 7.7g

Fibre - 1.7g

Protein - 4g 

Also contains some calcium and iron

1. Mix all cake ingredients in a bowl and divide into a greased muffin tin.
2. Cook for 20mins in a preheated oven at 180°C.
3. Mix toppings ingredients. 
4. When cooled, spread on topping and sprinkle with remaining walnuts. 

Enjoy and leave me a comment to tell me what you think!