-My Energy Balls Recipe-

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These little balls of energy are packed full with oats and sweetened through the use of dates and peanut butter.They are best to be kept in the fridge to extend their life.But for me, they are that recipe that I just keep coming back to.They are an absolute staple in my household!

Time:20 mins 

Makes:10-12 depending on size

Ingredients:

  • 340g of dates – I tend to pre-stock these in my kitchen as these are staple when making vegan or more plant-based sweet treats.
  • 3-4 generous tbsp of peanut butter  – or for a softer consistency mix with Almond butter for a more true nutty taste.
  • 227g of rolled oats – I tend to use basic porridge oats are they tend to blend together just as well as any other oats.
  • 20g of dairy free dark chocolate – but make sure it’s 70% cocoa solids are the higher the percentage, the better the taste of the gorgeous dark chocolate.
  • 1-2 tbsp of seeds – you can use chia seeds but I love to use mixed seeds to get a variety of textures which will compliment the peanut and/or almond butter.

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img_5507.jpegInstructions – 

1.) Pre – soak the oats for 6 mins in warm water and then leave them cool before putting them in a food processor until they are in the consistency of a paste or form a large ball.

2.)Now finely chop your chocolate in small pieces so that it can be added into the food processor with the your nut butter of choice, oats, mixed seeds and then mix until everything is combined.But don’t over process the mixture as I personally prefer having bigger chunks left in the mixture.

3.) Now mould and roll into 15 small/ medium sizes balls and place on a baking tray and pop into the fridge for 15 – 20 minutes.Then store in air-tight container to make them last, otherwise you may lose the moisture from them.

*For extra crunch – I love to use crunchy peanut butter and a handful of granola to add an extra crunch to the little balls of goodness!

 

Let me know any other healthy/plant-based treats that are your go to!

See you in the next blog post!

 

 

 

 

-My Current Skincare Routine-

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Skin Care – I think is the key to good makeup and basis to most things.Through face-mapping you can tell what works for you and what areas of your lifestyle be that diet or hormones that need attention.I am not a skin care expert but I wanted to share how I went from having bad Cystic Acne to good clear skin.Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a work in progress but I think through a better relationship with exercise and food, I’m nearly there.

So overall my skin care routine involves 4 steps-

1.) Micellar water – to remove impurities and any makeup. I love this La Roche Posay one – https://www.feelunique.com/p/La-Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Purifying-Micellar-Water-200ml IMG_4715.jpg

2.) A light toner only on my non problematic areas – Again, I love this La Roche Posay one  – https://www.feelunique.com/p/La-Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Clarifying-Lotion-200ml?q=toner%20la%20roc&q_typ=a&q_cat=product&q_dep=Skin%2CToners

3.) A clearly and light moisturizer for my problematic areas – No surprise here, this La Roche Posay one has been life changing in terms of keeping breakouts at bay and dramatically helping the area of Cystic Acne – https://www.feelunique.com/p/La-Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Duo–40mlIMG_4718

4.) A moisturizer for the rest of my face which are not as problematic – This light one from Liz Earle is gentle and soothing on combination skin and has moisturizer my skin before making without looking like a shiny sweaty mess! –https://www.feelunique.com/p/Liz-Earle-Skin-Repair-Moisturiser-NormalCombination-50ml?q=liz%20earle%20moistur&q_typ=a&q_cat=product&q_dep=Skin%2CMoisturisers

Over the years I have tried and tested many different brands natural and non-natural but by far La Roche Posay and Liz Earle are a good medium that work for me.They both help to keep the skin clear and clean but still moisturised.

I hope this may help, for when you need some clarity through the blur that is the dozens of different skin care brands out there.But if you have a consistent problem, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist as their advice may help you get to the root of the problem – I know that it certainly helped me!But at the end of the day, no one has perfect skin and everyone’s skin is different.I would love to learn more about natural skincare so if anyone has any recommendations – please send them my way!

Thank you so much for reading!

See you in the next blog post!

 

Banana Bread Recipe

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IMG_6146.jpgUsually, I follow a recipe to a t. To the gram, to the ounce.But ever since I had a mishap, I have fallen upon the most amazing recipe for Banana Bread.It’s not fully vegan, but does not contain any dairy or eggs but it does contain flour therefore it is not gluten free.Nonetheless, it is so moist and dense while being enough to satisfy your hunger and hold your appetite for hours in-between meals.

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 285g/8oz plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 3 over ripe + 1 perfectly ripe bananas
  • 50 ml extra virgin or even better vegetable oil
  • 50ml cup almond milk
  • 225g/8oz cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/356 F. Grease a 2 lb loaf tin, while adding greaseproof paper underneath and over the sides allowing the loaf the be easily pulled out once cooked.(*This means the shorter sides will be exposed and not covered with any greaseproof)
  2. In a large mixing bowl, chop and then mash the bananas until they form a thicker consistency. Add the brown sugar, oil, vanilla, and almond milk, and whisk together.
  3. Once you have done that, then sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and cinnamon
  4. Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, and top with the extra banana slices.
  5. Bake for about 30 minutes, then cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes longer, until a knife or kitchen utensil inserted in the centre comes out with just a couple of crumbs.
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IMG_6145.jpgLet me know and contact me with any Banana bread recipes or if you have tried this one out and let me know how it went, I would loved to hear from you!
Love always
 x

 

Recipe sourced and combined from these lovely sites:

 

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5 tips for Moving Forward and Moving On..

No matter who you are, no matter where you live there are always going to be situations where moving on is a crucial part in order to carry on with your life.In this I am simply sharing my own experience of how to move on from a person you had feelings for, or were in a relationship with.

1.) Self Care 

This is so important.Run yourself that bath, indulge in that dark chocolate or have a G&T because although these things won’t replace the feelings in your heart, they will however help it.Gradually.

A personal favourite is to listen to music or podcasts as it keeps my mind active and stops it from lingering back to old memories of the person.

2.)Surrounds yourself with the best gals and guys 

As clichéd as it sounds, having your best girls or guys by your side whether that is to simply text your frustrations to or have over for a pizza and catch up.From personal experience talking to your closet friends about your feelings and being as open and crazy as you feel at the time, is simply the best way start to wade your way through all the feelings you have had inside.

3.)Allow yourself time

Give yourself the time and space to get over whatever or whoever it is you need to get over.They may have felt the best at the time, but long-term they most likely weren’t, because if they were you wouldn’t be in this situation.

4.)Editing out 

I know.This one sounds a tad harsh but it really helps.Even if it’s only a few photos from your phone, a text message from them or even the little things that trigger a memory or your mind to jump to them.Do it, delete it.If you do it subtly, bit by bit it will get easier.I wouldn’t recommend doing it all at once, because sometimes it can make it much worse because it’s drastic, so just do it bit by bit.

5.) YOU WILL get through this – Self belief 

Trust me, you will get through this. You are enough.If they don’t want you, it’s their loss not yours.If they are other people in the picture, if you can, try not to compare yourself because as I said earlier it’s her or his loss for not treating you the way your deserve to be treated.

In terms of feelings, moving on is a tough feeling we all experience at some point in our lives.But someone once said to me ” Don’t ever change, you are great as you are” and that has really stuck with me, because not matter who you are, you are enough and are great just as your are.There are going to be times when you feel like Beyoncé and don’t give two damns but there are going to times where a song, a perfume or photo triggers what feels like a never-ending waterfall inside and out. And that is ok, it’s perfectly normal.We are all human, so surrounds yourself with your best gals/guys and family and with support we will all get through this and we will MOVE ON from them.

 

 

April Podcast Favourites

In the month of April, there have been so many Podcasts out and about, with amazing guest hosts that I have 100% been using when at the gym on the treadmill, having a clear out or just generally wanting to listen to something but not have to physically watch it.

1.)Talking Tastebuds-Venetia Falconer 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-tastebuds/id1287395967?mt=2

I absolutely love this podcast, partially because host Venetia is such an engaging speaker but also as the guests for season 2 have been particularly fab.My personal favourites have been the Hemsley sisters, Zanna Van Diik, Carly Rowena.As each guest is individual,  not at any point does it feel formulaic or repetitive.The first episode I watched was Delicously Ella’s episode (a personal inspiration) and it was so interesting to have a more informal interview, without the normal facade you receive with normal media interviews.

2.)At Home with Lily Pebbles and Anna Gardner

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/at-home-with/id1228706016?mt=2

I recently stumbled across these lovely ladies podcast while perusing Anna Gardner blog.Instantly, after watching the first episode, I was hooked.With the main line of guests being CEO’s, Founders and  Editors, what really stuck with me was that these were strong, successful and independent women.Whether they started at Liz Earle beauty or were the current residing editor at Glamour Magazine, each of the episodes shows how these women started off in the industry and how that journey led them to be where they are today.With rumours of a second series being finalised, I look forward to seeing what other strong business women they will interview in season 2.

Let me know your favourite podcasts, I am dying to find new and interesting ones.And follow me on Instagram and on here for weekly blog posts!

Love, M x

My current work routine – for arms and obliques

As a continuation from my last post here is my current arm workout routine;

Warmup

  • 10 minute sprint on treadmill, to increase my own cardio ability or
  • 10 minute ergo rowing session or
  • 5 x 1 minute fast rowing  with 30 seconds rest in between

Workout 

  • 40 x dumbell bicep curls (alternating each time)
  • 10 x push ups
  • 10 x diamond push ups
  • 20 x tricep dips
  • 20 x pilates Grasshoppers (side note: make sure you squeeze  your gluten when you bring your legs up, to really feel the burn)
  • 100 x butterfly twists
  • 100 x criss crosses
  • 1 minute plank
  • 1 minute up and down plank
  • 1 minute hip touch planks
  • 20 x overhead tricep dips

 Warm Down 

10 minute cycle, up and down with increased resistance to make peddling harder

We do tend to change it up, but I am currently working on my stamina for running, as it is something I just love doing and am passionate about.Whether that is on the hills on a misty morning or running on the treadmill at my local gym.It is also a great time, to catch up on any missed podcasts, I have a few firm favourites, that I regularly go to which will last me for the duration of my run.That will be up in a blog post soon!

See you in my next blog post!

Meghan

 

 

 

My current workout routine – For legs

About 6 months ago, my friend and I made a pact that we were consistently keep going to the gym twice a week, focusing mainly on abs and legs.As we began to enjoy it more and more, it was becoming clear it was more than just our bodies that we were seeing a change in.Our minds began to breathe and de-stress, after busy days.So much so, we now go 4 times a week.

Here is our leg day workout;

Warmup

  • 20 minute run on the treadmill -get on a good speed that you feel you can pace yourselves with for the whole duration of the run.
  • 5 minute stretch

Main Workout 

With most of these I will use a 3kg-3.5kg handheld weights

  •  50 x dumbbell side outer lunges (alternating)
  • 30 x dumbbell standing outer thigh lifts
  • 50x lying outer thigh lifts
  • 50 x walking lunges (I tend to use 4kg kettlebell, and pass it underneath my leg as I lunge to add some resistance )
  • 50 x squats with resistance band ( I will normally choose heavy, to really feel a burn the next day!)
  • 20 x 5 sets – using a rowing machine, place your back leg on the seat and lunge backwards, keeping your balance. Repeat this on the other side of your legs, so you are doing a squat down instead of a lunge.Then repeat this again lying on the floor, so do a half bridge with both feet on the seat of the ergo, and push away and pull back.
  • 2 minute wall sit
  • 50 x donkey kicks with resistance band (each side)
  • 50 x donkey kick leg raises with resistance band (each side)
  • 20 x pulses with resistance band
  • 20 x pelvic tilts with butterflies, with resistance band
  • 30 x single leg half bridge circles (each side)
  • 100 swim kicks (Tip– go as quick as you can with these, as they are v painful!)

Warm Down 

5 minutes of bike (if there is time, so we sometimes miss this out)

stretch off

Links

Resistance bands – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LF1TFKS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

*Disclaimer – I am not a trained healthcare professional or personal trainer, I am just sharing my own personal journey with fitness.