Banana Bread Recipe

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Usually, 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 thereofore 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/10oz 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/80z 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 center comes out with just a couple of crumbs.
*Photos to follow.
Let 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
M 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 cliched 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 form 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. Your 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 Beyonce 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 an 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.

Waterloo Gardens Teahouse

Recently, I found this glorious cafe.I had heard about it before from a few people, it is a great place if you want some delicious food, a extensive range of teas ( my favourite was their Chinese green tea) for any tea lovers, but breakfast or lunch in a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Cardiff.

My friend had poached eggs with hollandaise and spinach on toasted sourdough and a fab coffee, while I had a Chinese green tea with cinnamon fruit French toast with Welsh yogurt, fresh fruit and pecans.The mixture of berries, created an almost compote consistency that was sweet and delicious, and worked delicately against the cinnamon toast topped off with icing sugar for an extra layer of sweetness.

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The most amazing, cinnamon fruit French toast, Welsh yogurt, fresh fruit and pecans

The atmosphere was just great there, too.It is the type of place, to could go to work while you hash through your emails and to do list, yet still remain calm.However, you go there with a friend and have a good ol’ catch up ( we definitely did) while enjoying some delicious food and a coffee or a tea from their wide range.

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poached eggs with hollandaise and spinach on toasted sourdough

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Then afterwards we went for a walk around Penylan, and the gorgeous green spaces surrounding it, and would definitley recommend if you want a relaxing wonder around the streets of Cardiff.

So if you a foodie, like me yet love finding new and inspiring places to eat, I would definitely recommend and hope to be back (for another Chinese green tea!) next time I am visiting Cardiff.

 

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Penylan

First blog post

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Where do I begin?

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An Asparagus, Parma Ham and Asparagus Carbonara

Food.It has always been a first love, since I was a small child. As I have aged this has turned into something more than just a interest, it has become a passion. A personal favourite of mine curries, especially Thai green curries.However, there is nothing better than some freshly made Guac with nachos, followed by a spicy bean burrito.There is nothing better than sipping a G&T on a Friday night, and have a bowl of spicy goodness to eat, while the week closes before the new one begins.fullsizeoutput_350

 

 

 

 

 

I want to explore the best healthy recipes to the most picturesque cafes, to the food that is healthy yet delicious.But that’s not to say I won’t be sharing the best homemade sweet treats that just don’t quite compare to a bowl of quinoa and seasoned veggies! In terms of lifestyle, it is also a passion of mine, which is an equal rival to my love of food.From fashion finds to the gym routine that is keeping me calm and relaxed from our busy and stressful daily lives.

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A gorgeous Lemon Creme Brûlee

Fitness is another aspect, that I think is crucial to keeping our health and sanity in the 21st century. By no means, I am no fitness fanatic or personal trainer but when I go a just couple of times a week, it provides me with much more that just some sweaty gym gear and aching muscles the next day! It empowers me to be more confident and calm, and able to conquer and tackle whatever the next day may throw at me.Providing my days with extra laughter and gives me the mindset that means I will try take more risks and know that I am able to do anything I put my mind to.

So in this journey into food and lifestyle, I hope my passionate ramblings provide a little something.