Protein Packed Pancakes

I never eat pancakes. When I say never I cannot even tell you the last time I ordered some for myself or took a bite of someone else's. I used to have an obsession with 'healthy foods' and pancakes was never on my healthy food list - saddening I know. 

I am still inclined to labelling foods as healthy and unhealthy - not a habit I would recommend nor is it a correct indication of how food should be consumed - however, I am getting better at stepping outside of my comfort zone. AKA I finally decided to make some pancakes (cue the percussion and cheers from the crowd). 

I still enjoy eating well so I wasn't going to gorge on a sugar laden and simple carbohydrate filled recipe. Instead I was going to source and make one full of delicious and wholesome ingredients that wouldn't leave my body feeling gluggy and my mind feeling guilty.


Ingredients

• 100g oats
• 2 free-range eggs
• 100g cottage cheese
•  1 banana 
• 1 pinch of baking powder
• 1 splash of your milk of choice (used soy milk)

Toppings

• Almond butter
• Honey
• Chobani yoghurt
• 4 Fresh figs
• 1 pear
• 1 apple
• 1 handful of pomegranate seeds
• (I used whatever fresh fruit I had at home which ended up being a pear, apple and blueberries)
  

Method

1. Pop all pancake ingredients (excluding oil) into a blender until smooth
2. If the mixture is too thick just add a little more milk
3. Prepare all your toppings into small bowls. 
4. I peeled and grated the pear and apple, then tossed with the blueberries. I then set the toppings aside until ready to plate. 
5. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat, brush with oil.
6. Drop heaped tablespoons of the batter into the pan and cook for three minutes, or until little bubbles start to from on the surface. 
7. Flip and cook the other side until lightly golden and cooked through. Transfer to plate. 
8. Layer the pancakes up with the fruit and almond butter, drizzle over the honey and spoon on the yoghurt. 
9. Now eat :D 

You&Me

~ Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe its about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place ~

Unknown 

~ Like wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would ~

E.V.

Outfit Details:

Jacket, slip dress and hat - Op Shop finds

Shoes - Diana Ferrari 

Photographer - H.Landford

Be gentle with yourself

It sometimes amazes and exhausts me how self-critical we have become. I say 'we' because I do not distinguish myself from this statement. I too critique myself, put myself down and  pick on my imperfections. Is this healthy? No. Do I do it even though I know it is unhealthy? Yes. The answer we all need to ask ourselves is why do we do it? 

I find that I often put myself down or criticise myself and others when I am stressed, scared, threatened or insecure. In a sense, it becomes a fight or flight reaction. We are reacting to something negatively to protect ourselves. 

For instance, in every single one of these photos I look happy, energetic and lively. Little do you know that I am showcasing one of my biggest insecurities - my stomach. Am I fat? Nope. Do I have a chiselled six pack, most definitely not. I have a flat, very pale little belly and this little belly has caused me many tears and upsets of the years. 

I uploaded a photo to my Instagram and in the caption I made a joke about my stomach, making fun of myself before others could get in first. Why? Well I have come to realise that whenever something is going wrong in my life - stress at work, lack of motivation, a fight with a partner - I take it out on myself. There have been days where I have focused so much on the negatives that I have not left the house, cut out my friends and family all to make myself feel worse. I guess I am so used to it now that I get in there and self-critique before others can. A form of self-punishment and preservation all at the same time. 

Where did this get me? Absolutely nowhere. 

Sadly, only through experience have I learnt that this kind of reaction, self-critique and self-punishment never works. It has never made me feel better about myself or lead me to combat what is truly bothering me. 

Time, multiple tears and a few Bridget Jones movie nights later have I come to realise that right now is the best possible version of myself that I can be. Beating myself up and not accepting me for who I am leads to a sad, lonely and unhealthy life. 

Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will still have moments where I am extremely self-critical but my focus now is to remember that I am doing the best that I can do. To make sure I actually do this I am going to focus on daily mantras that will trigger positive thoughts. I will leave you now with my mantra for the day, I hope it triggers beautiful thoughts for you too.

~ Be gentle with yourself you're doing the best you can ~

XOXO

 A little shoutout to my photographer and general happiness maker Mr Hickey (check out his bearded magic on Insta, I dare you). Thank you for being you and taking photos of me in front of giant blue walls. 

Mid-Week Mood

All images are sourced from Straight into Style, Borrowed Heaven and Better Tomorrows

Under Wraps

I often wear various types of headwear to accessorise my outfits. Whether that be my favourite Brixton fiddlers cap, a beanie when it’s freezing cold or a jewelled headpiece for fancier occasions. My obsession with headwear accessories is endless.

 One of my all time favourite accessories has to be a headscarf. There are so many amazing, unique things you can do with a simple scarf that can turn the most casual of outfits into a stylish ensemble. The versatility of a scarf allows you to make brilliant fashion statements by experimenting with colours, patterns and materials to create unique designs. 

Whether you want to go for an easier version and pop on an already formed styled turban, or you are open to creating your own unique look, a headscarf is the perfect accessory to make you feel beautiful, unique and classy.  

*Please note that I have the upmost respect for those who wear turbans or scarves as a part of their religion or culture. This post in no way tries to demean the cultural significance of headwear, this post is purely to demonstrate various looks that can be achieved with a scarf as a fashion statement.