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 

Healthy-shaming, the new fat-shaming!

I constantly read reports, see social posts and hear about fat-shaming. People being named, shamed and blamed for their eating habits, weight and appearance. I myself have thankfully never been the victim of such bullying but would never like to be on the receiving end of such hateful comments. I have always felt there was no need to put someone else down for their lifestyle choices. I am all for assisting a friend who is struggling when they need it but I would never stand there and jeer at them or reject them for their food choices.

Whilst fat-shaming is very often spoken about health-shaming is not. Just as some feel they have a right to comment on a larger person’s lifestyle, others feel they have a right to comment on others being too skinny, eating a healthy diet or exercising too much.

Today for the first time I truly felt like I was being shamed for my healthy lifestyle choices. Two friends, who I live with, love eating out, enjoying a cheeky takeaway and treating themselves with food. Tonight, was one of those nights. As I was eating dinner they shouted out to me that they were going on a food expedition. Knowing they are both trying to be healthier I jokingly shouted out in return, ‘make healthy choices.’ 

Later I heard them return, excited to see them I rushed downstairs to chat. As I opened the door they were both sitting on the floor munching on their dinner of choice. Whilst one looked at me guiltily the other turned around and said, ‘this is a judgement free zone.’ I stood there shocked. I hadn’t even opened my mouth yet and already it was being presumed that because I choose to eat well, I would condemn them for not doing the same. My friend then asked me to leave the room so they could eat without being ‘judged.’ 

As I shut the door I was so angry. How can you justify ostracizing someone for trying to be healthy when in essence it is just the same as fat shaming? It really got me thinking, why is skinny-shaming ok, if fat-shaming is not? 

To the next person who says ‘you are not welcome’ for choosing to be healthy, commenting on the food that I eat or putting me down for not eating ‘fattier’ or seemingly ‘unhealthy’ foods I say to you: 

~ I love myself. I choose to be healthy and gift my body with the best nutrients this wonderful world has to offer. I eat nutritious healthy food because I enjoy it.  I exercise because it makes me feel good. It eases my mind and jump starts my body for the day ahead. I choose to be the best possible version of myself that I can be. I will not listen to anyone who tries to tell me differently~

 

 

Morning Glory

I was always that person whose body clock went off at 5a.m. and within minutes I was dressed and ready to attack the day. By 7a.m. I had exercised, eaten breakfast, drunk my morning tea and was ready for whatever the rest of the day had in store for me.

Over the last 7 months my morning enthusiasm has flown out the window. My zest to get up and go has been drowned by warm cuddles, the snooze button being hit on repeat and an ‘I will do it later’ attitude. What have I become? Where has my ‘oh so annoying’ morning persona gone?

Now that I have lost my morning person edge, the concept of trying to get back into the routine of waking up early and seizing the day is incomprehensible, but with summer fast approaching I really need to get my bum into gear.

In order to fit everything into my day – work, the inklings of a social life, exercise, date nights and the occasional alone time – I have to start getting up earlier and making the most of every minute. I have read countless articles on the internet and a million and one tips on how to become a morning person but let’s be honest, some things work other things do not. Here are some tips and tricks that work for me and hopefully will work for you too.

Plan Ahead

Currently, the more sleep I can get the better. I can sleep for an extra five to ten minutes in the morning (trust me it is worth it)if I pack everything I need for the next day the night before. I prep all my food and pop it in a plastic bag so it is quick and easy to grab. I lay my clothes out  - including work wear and my gym ensemble – literally everything and anything that I will need to get me through the day. My carry bag will also be packed for the day ahead so when I wake, all I have to do is get dressed, grab my food and I am out the door. This is a great way to maximize your time first thing in the morning.   

Routine routine routine  
If you didn't catch what I was trying to say with the above subtitle - routine is key. Staying up late and binge watching on the latest season of Peaky Blinders is not going to make it easier to wake up at 5:30am. Your body responds well to patterns. Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day will make it easier for you body to respond to certain things. Make these patterns a habit, not a matter of willpower. By making it a habit you are taking away the decision making action, and turning it into a process.

The good old snooze button

Don’t hit the snooze button. The night before this sounds like a very easy task but come 5:30am the snooze button is irresistible. The only thing that works for me is moving my phone to the other side of the room so I have to get up.  If I have to get out of bed to turn off my alarm, I am far more likely to actually stay up. In saying that, I have been known to roll over and make the better half get up and turn it off. Whoops - at least I’m trying, right?

Seize the day

I think it is extremely important to acknowledge why you are trying to get up early in the first place. If it is for no reason than why are you forcing yourself to get up?  

If there is a specific reasons you want to start being more of a morning person then get up and do something YOU want to do. If exercising isn’t your thing read a blog, pamper yourself, meditate, and listen to a podcast – whatever it is do something for you.

Trust me, you will feel so much better about yourself when you have had the time to start your morning off right and do something that will benefit you. Whether that is relaxing over a morning coffee and newspaper or getting up and doing a morning salute to the sun – make the most of your time and your life.

XOXO 

Avocado Smoothie

Morning brunch of avocado on toast, a delicious guacamole or just plain avocado with a hint of salad dressing - lets just say I LOVE avocado yet I have always been hesitant about hopping onto the avocado smoothie train. Im not sure what about the smoothie concept previously turned me off. I blitz up bananas, strawberries, mango and nearly any other fruit for a smoothie, but the concept of an avocado being put in the blender felt weird. 

After months of watching my male housemate drink avocado smoothies daily he finally convinced me to try some. I sipped with hesitation and swallowed with surprise. It was creamy, smooth and down right delectable! After a quick run down of his basic recipe I jumped into the kitchen to get smoothie making. 

I thought I would share my basic recipe with everyone but feel free to vary the ingredients depending on what you like in your smoothie. As a sweetener my go to is always honey but maple syrup, raw sugar and agave nectar are great alternatives. Replace soy milk with your choice of dairy or non-dairy options. For a bit of extra oomph add a banana, spinach and top with granola for a perfect, healthy breakfast. 

Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup of soy milk
- 1/2 cup Chobani yoghurt 
- heaped teaspoon of honey 

Blitz all ingredients in a blender. For a runnier consistency add extra milk or if you would like it a bit thicker add more yoghurt and avocado. Enjoy
xxx

(Image one sourced from Eleanor Landford Photography, image 2 sourced from HollyWulf)

Food: Green Smoothie

We have all been intrigued by those Instagram photos of gorgeous women sipping on their green smoothies with the hashtag -  #delicious #skinny #soyummy - and thought, hey if they think it’s delicious it must be delicious. These women also look pretty damn fine whilst drinking their green smoothie so like any normal person you would straight away think that maybe if I drink a green smoothie I will look damn fine too. Easy! My male friend calls this thinking basic bitch logic (don’t ask) but none the less I have also scrolled through my Instagram feed, seen the photos and thought ooh I want to try a green smoothie too!

The very next day I strolled down to the local organic, Paleo café and ordered myself the greenest of green smoothies. It was filled with bucket loads of vegies and I was pumped to taste the deliciousness that everyone was talking about. I lift the straw to my lips feeling super proud of myself for getting on the green smoothie band wagon, excited for that first delicious taste, and as this liquid concoction of vegetables enters my mouth I am filled with pure horror. What is this? How can anyone drink this? I am struggling to swallow this one mouthful yet drink the whole glass or even drink it on a daily basis! This drink is totally grosssssss…..

The only thought going through my mind is ‘you Instagram girls lied to me’. This was like hashtagging #healthy next to the photo of a mars bar cheesecake - a complete and utter lie. Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating a little bit but none the less it was not a pleasant experience.

Now, I will admit this was over six months ago and it took me a very long time to try a green smoothie again so feel free to call me a hypocrite BUT I kind of love green smoothies now. I do have a sneaking suspicion that going for the greenest of green smoothies was a bad idea as these bad boys really do need some fruit in them to add some delicious sweetener. So for those of you who were like me and could not comprehend how anyone consumed such ghastly green drinks try my suggestion below. Still healthy but just not so healthy that its gross (hehe).

My daily dose:

  1 banana (can be frozen if desired)

 Handful of organic spinach straight from the garden

1 teaspoon of natural peanut butter (obsessed with PB)

Sprinkling of cinnamon

Liquid – I add some water and lactose free milk but you could add coconut water, or just milk, whatever your heart desires really.

Chuck it all into a blender, blend away until smooth and there you have it, a green smoothie. You can also replace the peanut butter with other nut butters or even tahini is delicious. I also tend to add some more water at the end to top the smoothie up and blend again quickly. It is simple, quick and easy. You have the benefits of spinach and banana, the healthy fats of your nut butter and the hydration of coconut water. Drinks up ladies and gentleman x

PS I have no clue what my arms are doing :P