Kitchen of Nutrition

Comfort Food: Three Bean Mexican Chicken Stew

April 25, 2017

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.

Mexican, bean, beans, chicken, stew, health, healthy food

avocado

Brunch: A Delicious yet Nutritious Meal Idea

April 18, 2017

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?

Eggs, spinach, avocado, brunch, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals.

blog

Brownies: Love Them but Hate the Guilt?

March 27, 2017

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.

Healthy, brownies, cacao, cacao powder, Naturya, JimJams

berries

Raspberries: How This Pink, Tangy Fruit is Fundamental to Health

March 21, 2017

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.

Raspberry, raspberries, pink, red, candle, yankee candle, fruit

cravings

Dessert Parlour and Treat Spectacular at Creams Cafe

March 16, 2017

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.

Oreo Waffle

blog

Why Coriander Leaf is my Favourite Herb

March 15, 2017

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.

Coriander leaf, coriander leaves, coriander, herb, herbs, fresh, green, health, unique, taste, aroma

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!

baby corn

Easy Peasy Steak Stir Fry

March 02, 2017

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!

food

Pancake Day!

February 28, 2017

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?

degree

I Got Accepted!

February 15, 2017

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!

As You Like It

Valentine's Day in Newcastle

February 12, 2017

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.