Today is World Porridge Day! Luckily for me, I love oats. I find them so filling and satisfying so I can actually go through the whole morning without snacking. Plus, you can make it as personal and be as creative as you want with toppings! And it takes less than 5 minutes to make!
Smoothie bowls. What the heck are those you may be wondering? Smoothie bowls are essentially a smoothie topped with fruit, nuts and anything else nutritious you can find! They are more satisfying than a regular smoothie as you can't just down it and you can really appreciate the taste and variety of texture. The best thing about a smoothie bowl is how creative you can be! The more diverse the colours, textures and types of food the better! I am pretty new in the smoothie bowl hype but my favourite recipes I have created so far are below!
If you're ever around Leeds, you HAVE to take a trip to Trinity Kitchen found in Trinity Leeds shopping centre. Every 6 weeks, Trinity Kitchen rotates 5 street food vans allowing foodies and visitors to discover innovative cuisines all under one roof. Along with this rotating method, they have a few permanent outlets including Chicago Rib Shack, PizzaLuxe, Röla Wala, Tortilla amongst them, plus more!
Monday has arrived! The start to the working week isn't most people's idea of excitement so what better day for you to deserve a treat than on a Monday? I call this a treat but it's actually not. It tastes like it should be way unhealthier than it is but these pancakes are both delicious and healthy!
Flapjacks: the buttery, sweet and yummy treat made with very few ingredients which pack in a lot of calories! Our waistlines need to watch out when it comes to flapjacks because they are extremely moreish. Stereotypical flapjacks are made of oats, melted butter and golden syrup and they are then baked until golden and although oats are beneficial to health, heapings of butter and golden syrup are not. I absolutely love flapjacks and have been wanting to create a healthy version of flapjacks for a long time. I have finally created a recipe which satisfies those flapjack cravings!
Vegetables are the main staple of my meals and they should be the main staple of yours too! 50% of your plate should be vegetable and/or fruit based. Many people believe their plate should be mainly made of protein and/or carbs which simply is not the case. Ensuring 50% of every plate of food you eat consists of veggies and/or fruit means you should easily be eating the recommended amount of fruit and veggies per day. Why are they so important?
Studying for my master’s degree in Nutrition in Practice at Leeds Beckett University is edging closer and closer. I move to Leeds in just over a month – how exciting! I basically devote all my free time preparing myself for it. Whether that be reading, watching, talking or listening about nutrition and diet. Of late, I have been super interested in how beneficial fruit and veggies are to health.
About a week ago, my boyfriend said he really wanted a Chinese takeaway but after the recent bank holiday weekend escapades, I said no. We had eaten far too many calories and saturated fat that weekend. Although I didn't regret it as we have been super healthy when it comes to food lately, I still didn't think we deserved it after being a little bit naughty that weekend. Chinese takeaways are certainly a comfort food, full of warm, gentle spices and flavours.
So to satisfy his craving, I made my own Chinese style chicken curry which is tonnes healthier and is just as tasty as the curry from your local Chinese. It is also so simple to make and uses ingredients I always have in the house. Plus it is super cheap in comparison to buying a takeaway!
There is nothing better than a warm bowl of comfort food full of flavour which delicately touches your soul. Comfort food is nostalgic, possibly even sentimental, and is often used when a person is either stressed, sad or has some other negative emotion. It is associated with unhealthy, high-carbohydrate or high-sugar based food but it doesn't necessarily have to be this way. Indulgence can be good for not only your taste buds but also your body. Comfort food is idiosyncratic and is unique depending on culture and country.
Brunch. When it is a little too late for breakfast but slightly too early for lunch then a healthy and balanced brunch is the perfect option. My ideal perfect brunch is a range of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals so that I am set up for the day ahead. Tasty, fast and full of goodness, this brunch only takes 10 minutes to prepare.
Hard boiled eggs with spinach leaves and sliced avocado make the perfect brunch. Why you may ask?
Brownies. Probably one of my favourite treats to bake and eat but they're not so good when it comes to health. Whilst traditional brownies are full of butter, sugar and chocolatey goodness (or not so chocolatey goodness when it comes to our waistline), they are probably one of the worst treats to eat.
Yesterday, I was having a wander around Grainger Market when I stumbled upon one of the many fruit stalls. One particular stall caught my eye as it had an amazing offer for raspberries, one of my favourite fruits. 4 boxes for just one pound. In other words, 500g of sweet, pink, tangy and delicious raspberries for just £1! I could not believe what I was seeing. At Tesco, you can get a 150g box for £2 or a 250g box for £3 so you can see why I couldn't believe it. Anyway, I bought the raspberries and wondered what the actual health benefits of eating raspberries are.
Dessert. My main weakness when it comes to food is sugar, particularly dessert. I crave sugar more than any other food and on the occasion that I give in to my cravings, there's not a better place to treat myself with a tonne of sugar than Creams, an American styled parlour specialising in all things dessert and treat-based. With cafes across the UK, I'm sure you're not too far away from one.
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| Oreo Waffle |
Tearing coriander leaves from a growing plant releases a wonderful aroma which instantly boosts my mood. It is, without a doubt, my favourite herb to use in cooking as it compliments so many different foods.
It tastes wonderful in a potato salad, it instantly increases the flavour of a leafy salad, is a wonderful accompaniment to Mexican food as well as it perfectly complementing a homemade curry not to mention carrot and coriander soup. Simply divine! The list is endless. It is amazing how such a small leaf has such a huge flavour impact. The fresher the leaf, the better! Dried coriander is just not the same!
Not only does it smell and taste wonderful but it also has many positive impacts on the health of our bodies. It contains lutein and zeaxanthin which help protect our eyes, it can increase the levels of good cholesterol in our bodies, it is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and can also regulate the body's blood sugar levels. It can aid with people trying to lower their blood pressure and helps in the smooth transition of the digestive system. So add some torn coriander leaves into your salads right now and enjoy!
Want to make this delicious, nutritious and speedy stir fry and in under 10 minutes?
First, boil some water in a pan. Add egg noodles into the pan and allow to cook for 5 minutes.
After putting the noodles in a pan, heat some coconut oil in a pan. When it is hot, place thinly cut strips of steak into the pan and lightly fry,
Then add whatever vegetables you want to put into your stir fry. I personally used a handful of baby corn, a handful of tenderstem broccoli, one red chilli, a handful of spring onions and a handful of sugar-snap peas.
Lightly fry these with the steak and then add two tablespoons of soy sauce and a sprinkling of ginger. Cook for around 3 minutes.
Drain the noodles and toss into the pan to combine all the steak and vegetables together.
Then serve and tuck in!
You can change the amount of soy and ginger based on your preferences and you could also use chicken instead of steak if you'd like! Enjoy!
It's Shrove Tuesday which means one thing, pancake day! Shrove Tuesday is THE day to devour a disgusting amount of those fluffy things and experiment with toppings.
Whether you've already had them for breakfast or you're waiting to have them later on as a snack, it is an unwritten rule to consume pancakes today. I made some deliciously fluffy ones for breakfast, here is my recipe:
- 1 and a half cups of plain flour
- 3 and a half teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 tablespoon of white sugar
- 1 and a quarter cups of milk
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
First sieve all your dry ingredients into a bowl. Then add your egg and milk and combine. Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in the microwave. Add to the mixture and mix well. Then use 1 tablespoon of the mixture per pancake and fry in a lightly buttered pan on a medium heat until both sides of the pancake are lightly browned.
Serve with whatever toppings you fancy. I personally used bananas, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries along with melted Jim Jams hazelnut chocolate spread which contains 83% less sugar than Nutella and almost tastes identical!
What toppings are your favourite on pancakes?
I received some wonderful news on Monday to share with you all, I am
officially doing a masters come September! It's in Leeds which I'm super
excited about as I have heard many great things about Leeds, including
restaurants which I can't wait to eat at! And it means I'm back in my home
county of Yorkshire, I have missed the accent!
I have an unconditional offer at Leeds Beckett University studying
Nutrition in Practice where I will gain a Master in Science postgraduate degree.
I am so excited to be a student again and I can't wait to meet some new people
but most of all learn again! I have seven months to prepare which includes
gaining knowledge on nutrition so I have a heads up, finding a house and moving
to Leeds as well as earning as much money as possible in my current profession so
I don’t have to work when I’m a student again and can put my full focus on my
degree (and eating out).
I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life with my boyfriend who
also has an unconditional offer at Leeds Beckett University studying Strength
and Conditioning. We will be sad to leave Newcastle but it’s time to move on and
seriously think about our future and what we actually want to do with our
lives. Roll on September!
Valentine's Day, the most romantic day of the year, is just two days
away. But there is no need to panic! Do you live in Newcastle and are
struggling to decide where to take your loved one for food? If so then this is
the read for you.
As You Like It, Jesmond
This is probably my favourite place to eat in Newcastle and is
definitely the restaurant for special occasions. With such a romantic
atmosphere and remarkable food, it makes the perfect place to tuck in, drink up
and cosy up to your beloved. Along with the food comes unique cocktails, a
unique decor and a touch of class in the air. It's certainly a place to dress
up rather than down!
The Botanist, city centre
With views across the city centre from the rooftop bar and stunning
floral architecture in the building along with live music sessions, The
Botanist has a romantic air and real buzz to it no matter what time of the year
it is with a huge array of cocktails to choose from which will leave you going
back for more. Make sure you leave room for dessert, it will not disappoint!
Francesca's, Jesmond
With Italian waiters, an authentic Italian smell as well as food,
whenever I have eaten at Francesca's, it has always been busy and although it
is busy, the wait on food is not long. With fresh pasta and fresh pizza at
prices that cannot be beaten, it's the perfect place to eat if your purse hasn’t
quite sorted itself out after Christmas or for you students out there.
Pitcher and Piano, the Quayside
Right on the Quayside next to the River Tyne is where this classy little
bar and restaurant can be found. With a view of the Millennium Bridge, this bar
has a real buzz and is very popular for people wanting that pinch of extra
class, perfect for Valentine's Day. With a range of dishes from burgers to typical
English dishes and salads, there's something for everyone.
Where are you taking your loved one for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in
the comments below.
Yesterday, me
and my boyfriend agreed that we were worthy of a treat, in the means of food, after
eating so well for the majority of January. We ventured into Eldon Square’s
latest addition of Grey’s Quarter, a vibrant and very popular new food court bursting
at the seams with its variety of restaurants and food. We now had an enormously
tough and significant decision to make. Where to eat. We had previously
tried out Giraffe and Chiquito’s which were both outstanding but we wanted to
try somewhere we hadn’t yet been.
I pass Red’s
True Barbecue almost daily and always pondered what the food would actually be like
after reading and hearing wonderful things from this meat lover’s paradise.
The restaurant
seemed pretty quiet because after all, it was a Sunday evening. The smell was
incredibly appealing resembling a true barbecue smell which set my taste buds
on high alert. We were ushered to a table almost immediately after stepping in and
was welcomed with a large spread of a menu.
Red’s offer
the type of food I absolutely love – meat and barbecue. We first ordered a
large jug of water before devouring in the words on the menu as we would rather
have something that just cleanses our palette and doesn’t fill us up too much, leaving
more room for food! We always share our food with each other so we can try two
different meals. We decided that one of us would order a barbecue tray and the
other would order a burger. Upon this conclusion, we had the tantalising choice
on what to order. We opted for the Beef Long Rib and Sticky Chicken Barbecue
tray with a side of BBQ pit beans and a double patty Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
with skin on fries.
Red’s pride
themselves on how long their meat is smoked for. Because the meat is smoked for
so long, it only took a maximum of 10 minutes for the food to be brought out. Luckily
we were starving! The beef long rib fell off the bone and melted in your mouth
due to it being smoked for 8 hours. The sticky chicken was also so soft and succulent
with it being smoked for 3 hours. The BBQ pit beans were the finest pit beans I
have ever eaten, full of pulled pork and smoked for 12 hours. The bacon
cheeseburger was also so lip-smacking.
We decided against
dessert as we were a satisfied full and didn’t want to overdo it but the
desserts sounded out of this world. Perhaps next time if we opt for the
sandwiches instead, there will be room for dessert! If you are a huge carnivore
like me, this is the perfect place for you to sink your teeth into.
Have you
been to Red’s True Barbecue? If so, what did you order? Let me know in the
comments below.
Cinnamon.
That sweet and fragrant spice you dust over porridge and use in desserts not
only adds a delicious zing to our foods but also a zing to our health. Recently,
George Lockhart, a performance nutrition specialist and dietitian to UFC
fighter Conor McGregor, says the best way to curb those sugar cravings is with
cinnamon and this got me wondering. Could cinnamon be beneficial to our health?
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| Homemade cinnamon oat muffins. |
Cinnamon
contains cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamyl acetate. Cinnamaldehyde
has an anticoagulant property which can prevent strokes and an
anti-inflammatory property which has been shown to relieve the symptoms of
asthma, arthritis, muscle soreness and the severity of some allergic reactions.
It
has been shown to relieve bloating and flatulence.
Cinnamon
produces an antibacterial action that can prevent yeast and candida from
growing.
It
is loaded with polyphenols, a type of powerful antioxidant, meaning the body
can be protected from oxidative damage caused by free radicals which is a cause
of cancer and heart disease.
It
can reduce the level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and
blood pressure which are all contributing factors to heart disease.
It
can improve the sensitivity to insulin which regulates blood sugar levels and
also lowers blood sugar levels if they are high.
So the answer is yes. Cinnamon can be of benefit to our health so grab yourself
some cinnamon from your local supermarket and add it to your morning breakfast
and reap in the benefits. Do you eat cinnamon on a regular basis? If so, how do
you incorporate it into your diet? Let me know in the comments below.
Best of
wishes.
