Baked egg avocado

Simply but an alternative for breakfast.

Simply scope a section out of your avocado and crack a small egg inside. Sprinkle with black pepper and grained sea salt for extra taste.  

Bake for 10 minutes on 160 degrees. 

Depending how hot your oven is check that the egg doesn't over crisp.

Then either eat on their own or combine as a side or centre piece to a meal. I often have one for breakfast and then save the other half for a salad later on. Easy simple and alternative healthy options. 

Holiday options

Sometimes I hear people say, whilst I'm away I always put on weight. Or I always feel blotted. 

Menorca, San Louis Petro Restrurant 

I think sometimes you can can get carried away but since I've been in Menorca this year, I've tried to be more conscientious of picking lighter options and sticking to my regular plan back home which is high in protein, veg and fruit. 

Here are a few options I've taken - delicious but sticking to my plan. 

Lamb Turkish kebab with low fat Greek yogurt and salad dressing 

Tomato and mozzarella salad with walnut pesto and rocket salad 

 Towered prawns with low fat rose sauce

Seafood cocktail, sea bass, cod, mussels, garlic prawns,with a balsamic reduction. (I left my roasties) 

Obviously treat yourself, I have a rose spritzer to compliment my meal and a sorbet or ice cream for dessert. But if your wanting lighter options here is a few examples to go by.  

Berries Galore

On Monday evening I went for my usual 10-12k with Philip around Salford Quays in Manchester. 

However this time we decided to take sandwich bags as we noticed the week before there were hundreds of blackberries in bloom. 

We picked dozens upon dozens, and then struggled to jog with them home.

After checking through for little bugs and washing them we ended up with two big bowls full! 

We then simply blended them with protein powder,skimmed milk to make a after workout smoothie. Then we just left a few out in bowls for our breakfast and the rest we froze for jam, crumble and later smoothie making.

It is amazing what money you can save and what you can make when you put you hands and head to it (mind the bramble bushes though). 

Blackberries any one? 

Blueberry and broccoli smoothie

Simply blend the following 

Ingredients:

Broccoli 

Frozen blueberries

Half banana 

Grapefruit juice 

Then on top put a dollop of natural yogurt , oats and nuts. 

Protein gorj berry bites

I saw these online and had to try it out for myself.

The Ingredients are as followed: 

Liquids 

1/4 cup Coconut oil

Tsp honey 

Peanut butter

Dry mixture

1 1/2 gluten free oats 

Gorj berries 

Shredded coconut

4 scoops vanilla protein powder

So in two bowls mix all the ingredients one for dry and one for liquid. Then combine both. 

After this place them all in ice cube moulds. Don't be afraid to use your hands!!

After this place them in the freezer for 20 minutes. 

Then pop them out of the mould. If you'd like them as an extra treat all you have to do is dip them in white or dark chocolate and place them in the fridge. However I think they are perfect as they are! 

       Gorj berry protein love treats 

Apple and Carrot Protein Bars

These protein bars are great for pre-work out. They are full of energy - but the good kind.

Again it is really simply to do, firstly pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees. Then you just combine all the ingredients in a blender and add them to a casserole dish (which has been thinly layered with coconut oil)

Ingredients:

3 cups Organic oatmeal/ porridge 

1 cup protein

2 egg whites

Almond/Soya milk

1tsp Honey 

1 tsp Peanut butter

Then after these ingredients are all blended add to your baking dish and then I fold in the following.

Chopped apple

Grated carrot 

Cinnamon

Finally I add grated carrot on top for decor. Bake for 12 minutes and then divide accordingly.

7 day detox

Over the next 7 days I'm really trying to give my body a detox of all the nasties, especially alcohol and coffee. I began on monday and its especially for when I go away on Friday. I'm jelly off for 5 days to see my Grandparents and although there is no one to "impress" I want to feel confident and cleansed for my mini break. 

Although I try and eat everything organic it can sometimes be difficult.

However I've recently come across a product called Slimatee which is full of all natural ingredients and helps cleanse you system. 

As well as this I've decided to try and make different soaked oats combine with protein each morning. This morning I went for My Green machine smoothie combined with natural yogurt blended with protein and a layer of oats.

So this morning I was off to a good start.

Slimmetee followed by Green machine combo and then after Pilates and weighs session I had my protein shake! 

Detox liquids. All greens and proteins. 

Bon voyage very berry scones

My friend and next door/desk neighbour leaves this week to move to Australia. So in an attempt to give her the best English farewell I decided to organise an English themes leaving party in which I made home - made bunting and scones. However as I don't usually eat biscuits/sugary snacks I decided to try making an alternative so I could provide goodies without guilt.

Ingredients include:

Cup of all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder 

1 cup oats 

3 tsp of brown sugar 

Lots of Lemon zest

2 tsp honey

1 beaten egg white

Soya / almond milk 

3 tsp unsalted soya butter/ coconut oil 

Blueberries 

So firstly set your oven to 180 degrees so its ready. Then add the first 5 ingredients together and in a separate bowl first whisk the egg and then add the butter, honey and milk. 

Add the liquid mix slowly folding it into the dry mixture until it is moist. Make sure however it is not to sticky otherwise you'll end up with scone hands.

Once this is done add the blueberries. Once your happy with the mixture create round even oval shapes and place them in grease proof paper on a baking tray.

Let them bake for 12 minutes until golden brown. Sprinkle nuts or casting sugar if you'd like to add more finest. 

Golden lemon and blueberry oat scones

And packed for work, few sneaky ones left for my housey mate. 

And too add to my tea party I plan I serve then with Creme fresh, organic strawberry jam and home made bunting! 

Dog yoga

You know your taking things too far when my house mates dog attempts to join in and perform yoga moves. 

Apparently this one is called the dog pose? 

Aussie breakfast

My first experience of "soaked oats" was in Australia! My best friend, Nikki, Who lives in Perth introduced me to this marvel. And a year or so on I'm still hooked. They love it out there as its healthy and so easy to make. Also you can make them look pretty cool. 

How it works is that you prepare oats, fruit, yogurt and juice then night before and leave it in the fridge over night. In that time the oats soak up all the flavour and it makes a sort of compost. Similar to what you can purchase is Pret as Starbucks. 

So for this one I included: 

1 cup of oats

Handful of raisins 

Chopped apple (smaller the better)

Two heaped tsp of natural yogurt

Drizzle of honey

Coconut and piña water

Add all your ingredients into whatever you plan to store it in or eat it out of in my case. Plonk in the fridge and your done! 

For a bit of extra decor or "fullness" I sprinkle a few crushed almonds on top. 

Creme de la Creme of breakfast "Aussie porridge" 

Walnut and banana protein bars

Again it is the weeks end and I decided to attempt to make another type of protein bar. The same principle as the almond coco bars in a previous post but these ones are gluten free and are for those who don't necessarily crave the chocolate taste.

Ingredients:

1 cup of gluten free oats (Sainsbury's)

2 heaped tsp of honey 

1 cup eggs

4 scoops/1 cup protein (vanilla/banana/unflavoured - I used impact whey by My Protein)

Large handful of walnuts 

2 bananas 

Soya milk 

Pre-heat to oven to 160-170 degree, depending how efficient your oven is.

Add all the ingredients into a blender and simply blend! 

After the mixture is smooth place your mixture into a high edges baking tray or casserole dish. Because the mixture is quite sticky I preferred to use a casserole dish which I spread with low fat butter or coconut oil. For presentation I sprinkled a few remaining walnuts over the top but any type of but could be used or a sprinkle of cinnamon If you'd like an extra kick. 

Simply bake at 170 degrees for 10-12 minutes until the mixture has firmed. Then slice accordingly and scoop the bars out using a spatular! Then obviously pile them up and present them so you can take a picture! 

Moroccan Breakfast

This recipe I was recommended by my Dad. He first tried it whilst he was away last week in Portugal and insisted I tried it. Its an healthy alternative to a English Breakfast I suppose and is also great for the next day. Its simple, fast and gets your heart going - as its based on spices.

Before we get started a really important application to have is a pan with a steamer lid. This is so your sauce can thicken the eggs can seal.

Ingredients:

1 Onion

1 Red pepper

Garlic (I used lazy jar garlic)

Chilli Flakes

Sweet chilli

Chopped tomatoes

4 eggs  

So first things first, chop your onion finely and brown in a frying pan with a dash of coconut oil or just light oil if you don't have coconut. Keep on a low heat and stir until brown. At this point add the the garlic and chilli (amount depends if you prefer spice)

After this add the chopped red pepper and tinned chopped tomatoes. After a few minutes of sizzling I would then add the sweet chilli. It's best to now reduce the heat lower and put the lid over the pan, letting the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, checking and stirring every few.

After the sauce has reduced its time I add the eggs. I used 4 eggs, 4 whole and 1 just the yolk. Again after your eggs have been added put the lid back on and leave on a low heat. 

Leave for around 3-4 minutes until the eggs have sealed. 

Then serve with black pepper and enjoy your morroccon breakfast. 

Heavenly Harvey

Yesterday evening I was taken by my Grandad and his partner, Philip for a heavenly meal at Harvey Nichols in Manchester, to celebrate graduating university. 

The restaurant was called the Brasserie and is considered a more contemporary and relaxed experience. However I thought it was the perfect combination of  modern and fine dining in terms of presentation and service. 

The night is based upon a set menu which includes a cocktail and 3 course meal. We began the evening with an Elderflower cocktail which was delicious not only in taste but also presentation. We decided to go for the Rose Pinot blush as it was an older wine and less fruitful instead it had a deeper flowery taste perfect to compliment our three course dinner. 

I then started with tempura prawn with a soya, honey dip. The pastry was extremely delicate and was a lovely light starter to get the taste buds flowing. 

Prawn tempura served with lime and soya glaze.

Funnily all three of us went for the Sea trout for main. It was the perfect size abs again extremely light. It was stemmed then pan fried which mean the skin had a nice brown finish. I love fresh fish which is pan fried at the end as it gives an added tactile experience to a meal - "crunch" and "crisp". 

Sea trout served with Edam beans ad tempura courgette. 

Finally for dessert we wet for a selection so we could all try a bit of everything. Philip an Grandad went for the strawberry meringue with champagne jelly and flourished with fresh mint.

  Strawberry meringue which cream and champagne jelly. 

Being a typical girl, aka chocoholic, I went for dark cherry dessert. Which was beautiful. It was stripped with a light bubbly dark chocolate mousse with riches cooked cherries surrounded by swirls and rich dark chocolate. There was then a serving of cherry sorbet-like parcelled by a light sponge. Not only was it beautiful in taste but beautiful to look at.

 Dark cherry mousse 

After finishing our final course I was completely satisfied but in no way full. It was the perfect in terms of  culinary procession. I will undoubtedly be returning if not to try other dishes on this menu, but if not, I'll be their on the opening evening of there new menu launch in September!

You can book online or call - but make sure to book if you plan on going at the weekend! 

http://www.harveynichols.com/restaurants/second-floor-manchester/second-floor-manchester-brasserie

The Green Machine

So I've recently really started to get in to juicing and my favourite morning smoothie has to be the green machine. It's adaptive and can be made more filling if you use almond milk instead of coconut water and add a handful of oats but in general it's a great way to boost your metabolism and start your day. 

All you need is the following and a blender:

Handful of spinach 

Peanut butter

Frozen banana (peal and leave in freezer over night adds thickness and coldness)

Squeezed grapefruit 

Coconut water (viva coco with piña also works)

And whey protein if you plan on a morning work out.

Then simply blend and watch the green machine let rip!

For extra crunch and texture I like to sprinkle either walnuts or chopped almonds on top.

Almond alterntive protein bars

Home made protein bars I've started to get really into. They are so easy to do and set you up for the whole week in terms of healthy mid day snacks or mini meals. This picture is the almond Chocolate bars. 

All that's included is:

3 egg whites 

3 Heap tsp of oats

Almond milk

Coconut shredded 1/2 cup

Peanut butter

Whey protein (plain/vanilla/choc) I curre you am using MY PROTEIN impact whey. 

Blend all together and fold in a handful of crushed almonds and coco powder (preferable green and blacks). 

Place in the oven on 150 degrees for 13 minutes, leave to stand and divide. I store mine in the fridge to keep them fresh but as long as they are sealed they can be kept in the cupboard. Enjoy. X 

When in Turkey.. Jump of a boat

With my university girls we celebrated our 3 years together by spending a week in Bodrum, Turkey. I was honestly so surprised with the islands sheer beauty. The City was like South of France with a cute tacky edge. - Who doesn't like bargaining for their holiday goods.

 We decided to take a boat trip one day to explore the island, we went to different beaches included "camel island" in which camel rides were available. I chose to stir away from the camel riding experience after my incident in Eygpt - in which I fell off. Burnt and bruised didn't bowed well.