January Favourites

“there are stars you haven’t seen, and loves you haven’t loved. there’s light you haven’t felt and sunrises yet to dawn. there are dreams you haven’t dreamt and days you haven’t lived and nights you won’t forget. and flowers yet to grow. and there is more to you that you have yet to know. G.C” 

I’m a worrier. I can say that for certain. I know it causes me a great deal of stress and upset. Yet, as hard as I might try, I cannot change it. Not for all the tea in China. If there was something to worry about, trust me, I’ve worried about it 10 times over and created a million different outcomes and each consequence following them. And the future is not a concern unnoticed. The future, in fact, is probably my biggest worry of all.

I want to have it altogether, now. I want to know what I want to do with my life, now. I want to be living and breathing it all, now. I don’t want to wait, I can’t handle that uncertainty. The worrying all the time of what is to come. But it isn’t the way to live. Constantly on edge, constantly in fear. There’s so much beauty in life, and yet I catch myself thinking of all the things that could go wrong. 

I’m learning to trust it though. Life. Trust that great things take time and one day it will all become mine, and in the meanwhile realise all the things I’m blessed to experience. Learning to walk blind, unaware of the next turn and when the path might become rocky, but walking down it regardless. Finally ending up where I was meant to be all along, through the good and the bad.

So relax into your journey, it’s a predestined path. Make February a month to be taken along with the current, instead of fighting it. Embrace the change and learn to love the uncertainty. Admire all the beauty whilst you’re on your way. 

Onto the favourites…

In true tradition, I received a new cookbook for Christmas. I've followed Niomi Smart for a long time and enjoyed watching her journey to eating a plant-based diet, and even embraced the abundance of fruit and vegetables myself. So her first book Eat Smart is a no brainer favourite for me this month.

This Laura Mercier Honey Bath Duo in Creme Brulee, makes an evening bath the most luxurious treat. I may come out of the bathroom smelling like a french patisserie, which admittedly just makes my sweet tooth 100x worse, but it's oh so worth it.

Finally, this poetry book, Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur has been my absolute favourite through January and probably for the rest of the year too. It's a collection of deeply moving poetry, comprised of heartbreak, feminism, self-love and healing. Some of her words really speak to me and bring me to tears, but they are some of the most beautiful and heartfelt words I have read in a long time. It's a must-read.

What were your January Favourites?

K

My Post-Spin Pina-Kale-Ada Smoothie

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to join forces with the Popcycle team on their Sweaty Betty Live DJ Ride, providing all the post-workout goodies to all the sweaty ladies who absolutely killed it on the spin bike. 

And just in case you’re thinking it was a cool, laid back way to spend your Friday evening, it’s not. 

This high energy class is definitely not for the faint hearted. A 90-minute spin class of hill climbs, sprints and a few upper body weights (thrown in for good measure, just to ensure you’re unable to move the next day), all to live DJ Georga’s deep house, old school hip hop and EDM set. 

But was it an amazing way to spend a Friday night? Was it ever. Why go clubbing when you can get all hot and sweaty on a spin bike?

Check out the Popcycle website for more information on their spin classes and upcoming events if you live in the Kent area!

To refuel I created this delicious Pina-Kale-Ada smoothie. My favourite cocktail with a healthy twist. It’s full of hydrating coconut water to help replace all those lost electrolytes, sweetened all naturally with banana and pineapple, and packs a plant-based protein punch to help your muscles recover after that intense workout!

Ingredients:

Serves 1

1 Cup Frozen Pineapple Chunks

1/2 Ripe Banana

1 Packed Cup Chopped Kale

2 Teaspoons Hemp Protein Powder

1 Cup Coconut Water

2 Teaspoons Lime Juice

when life hands you pineapples...make pina-kale-ada's!

K

Banana, Honey & Granola Crunch Muffins

I’m pretty sure I only bake in a bid to try and bribe people into liking me. In fact, I frequently turn up to work with sweet goods to keep on my managers good side, and seeing as I haven’t been fired (yet), I’ll assume it works. Now nothing says “please don’t lock me in the stock room or force me to deal with the horrible customers that make me cry” quite like a big batch of these Banana, Honey & Granola Crunch muffins. And if I really want to get on her good side, I’ll give these to her with a cup of tea and my butter-wouldn’t-melt smile 

Ingredients

Makes 12 Muffins

2 Cups Ground Almonds

1/2 Cup Plain Gluten-Free Flour

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

Pinch Of Sea Salt

2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

2 Tablespoons Honey

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

3 Eggs

3 Ripe Bananas

1 Tablespoon Dairy-Free Milk

Topping: Granola And Banana Slices.

Method

Preheat your oven to 175 degrees celsius. Grease your muffin tin with coconut oil and leave to one side.

In a large bowl, combine your ground almonds, flour, baking powder and sea salt. 

In a separate bowl, cream together your coconut oil and honey with an electric whisk until pale. Add in your vanilla extract and your eggs and continue to whisk until combined.

Slowly add in your dry ingredients to your honey and coconut oil mix and stir in well.

Mash your 3 ripe bananas and fold into your wet mixture with your dairy-free milk.

Using a 1/4 cup measurement, or a large ice cream scoop, fill each well with your mixture until about 3/4 full. Top with a banana slice and a sprinkling of granola. 

Bake in your oven for about 15 - 20 minutes, or until golden brown. They should spring back when touched.

Leave to cool.

Serve with a hot cup of tea to seriously impress your manager.

K

Foods For Happiness

Happiness is a truly personal experience. How am I to know if the way I feel it, is the same as you? Do you feel it intensely like me, or is it just a comfortable fuzzy feeling always in the background? When I feel happy, I get a little shiver that ripples up through my spine, jerks my shoulders and goes right up and through the top of my head. I get a warm sensation that runs down from my forehead, down through my arms and right to the tips of my fingers. I smile, a lot (it’s a bit weird actually). And then for a second, I feel like I could cry, just because I’m so. bloody. happy. But however you feel your happiness, I’m sure we can all agree its one of the greatest feelings, is it not?

To me, happiness is so important. I really believe we are a reflection of the quality of our thoughts and morals, our lifestyles and how we choose to spend our time. But that is all, as I said, truly personal, and there is no right or wrong in the way we choose to live our lives. However, the quality of the food we consume can play a big part in supporting and aiding all the functions of our body to keep it running well, including our moods. Here are my top picks for foods that can help us to feel a little more happy:

Asparagus 

Asparagus contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps to create the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. 

Pumpkin Seeds

Like asparagus, pumpkin seeds contain that amazing amino acid tryptophan, helping us to feeling calmer. Sprinkle onto salads or onto fruit and yogurt for a serotonin hit. 

Cherry Tomatoes

Along with regular tomatoes, cherry tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant which fights against depression causing inflammation. They make a great snack for when you're craving a little something sweet.

Mussels

These little shellfish’s are loaded with B12 vitamins that help produce brain chemicals that positively affect our moods and improve brain function.

Avocados

Avocados are also high in B vitamins to support the brain, and help to naturally balance out our hormones. Mash up and spread onto a slice of wholegrain toast for a snack when you need to relax.

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a fantastic source of magnesium, which has been associated with lower depression.

Eggs

Eggs are full of mood improving Omega-3 fatty acids. Poach and serve with steamed spinach for a punch of iron and folate.

Happy Eating

K

Why I'm Ditching The 'New Year Diet'

I cannot lie and say that festive period did not fill me with such a tremendous fear. No matter how far I have come in my journey, I am not immune to the guilt that can sit very heavily upon your shoulders the second the spoon hits the bottom of the bowl. And I get stressed out just by the thought of having 3 nights out in a row, not to mention the sleepless nights I endure attempting to plan what I’m going to wear, when I’m going to paint my nails, when am I going to have time to hit the gym in-between shaving my legs and moisturising. And to some, this may all sound very silly. To be afraid of eating and drinking a little bit too much, or not being able to fit in exercise, or getting dressed up all nice to go to social events. But anyone who has suffered with any type of disordered eating, body dismorphia and anxiety can tell you just how frightening it is to feel so out of control, so bloated and spoiled, and, well, fluffy (or fat).

In previous years, I’ve always used the New Year as a fresh start and placed such a massive emphasis on getting back on track and losing weight. Many of you can easily slip in and out of these weight loss programmes that scream in our faces “New Year Shape Up!” But many of us can also fall into very unhealthy, restrictive lifestyles. So it’s a no from me. I’m ditching the ‘New Year Diet’ and here’s why:

• Number one, you have to understand you’re good enough exactly how you are. Before you try losing any weight, try admiring and appreciating your body at whatever size you are, because if you’re not happy at a size 12/10/8, you’re not going to be happy at any other size. Its time to learn how to accept your body for all the beautiful things it is, not all the things it is not. 
• Number two, in truth, you probably haven't changed that much. Not drastically that is. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy into these diets, just because everyone around you is so fixated on losing the pounds. The diet industry is worth a lot of money, so it’s no surprise they’re convincing you that you need to lose weight after Christmas. And hey, even if you did put on weight, please bear in mind you don’t live like that normally. As soon as you start to eat a bit more fresh, whole ingredients and move around a bit more, you’ll find you’ll probably lose weight without really trying. 
• Number three, you need to ask yourself are you trying to be a better version of yourself, or are you trying to look like the model on the cover? The people endorsing these fad diets are fitness models and celebrities, people who have the money to hire professional make up artists, hair stylists, personal trainers and personal chefs. They have big fancy lights on photo shoots that make them look incredible. And thats before they get photoshopped. Hell, these people don’t even look like their glossy magazine covers. Do this to be a better you, because I promise if you’re eating your bodyweight in kale to look like them, you’re only going to be highly disappointed. 
• Number four, you need to live a life you’re going to enjoy. I know that if I went back on some big restrictive diet and exercise programme, I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I love to do. Go out for tasty dinners, have spontaneous drinks after work, meet with friends for coffee… My relationships wouldn’t work in the way that they do, and my life would be spent between the kitchen, then gym and work. I wouldn’t enjoy it.
• And most importantly, number five, your diet should be sustainable and healthy. And you know what isn’t sustainable and healthy? Restriction. Hunger. Loss of natural hunger cues. Obsessions and fixations over food, wondering when the next meal will be before you’ve even finished your breakfast. Disordered eating. Feelings of hunger, shame, guilt and anxiety. A healthy and sustainable diet is enjoyable, balanced and an easy part of your life. I would hate to look back at January and think of all the things I gave up so I could “smash the gym” and live off green smoothies.

‘the way you speak of yourself. the way you degrade yourself into smallness. is abuse.’

So before you set out to change your body, learn to love it first. Learn to love the weight you are, appreciate how your body moves and know that you body is an amazing thing that will change throughout our entire lives. Treat it with respect and fuel it well. Don’t abuse yourself to look like someone on a magazine, and don’t stop yourself having a life to lose a couple pounds. Eat, workout and do lovely things, so you can look back on 2017 happy, full of energy and beautiful.

K

December Favourites

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you” Anne Lamott.

Taking a breather, is a tool I’ve never claimed to have in my set. But in December, I learnt to just relax a little. Loosen the reigns a smidge when it came to eating well, treating myself to a couple extra mince pies I probably shouldn’t have done. Lightened up on getting to the gym for every session, skipped a couple of planned runs, and just had fun going out dining and drinking with friends. And why? Because I was told taking time out for myself was fundamental. Living your life a little bit more, is just as important as eating well and exercising, in order to become a well rounded healthy individual. 

So no, I didn’t pressure myself to do anything remotely taxing. In fact, the only stress that caused a couple sleepless nights was a certain gingerbread train awaiting being decorated downstairs. And crumbs, if baked goods are my biggest problem, I think I can cope with that. And guess what? I'm still alive. I'm still here. And I still work just fine.

Onto the favourites... 

Rude Health Almond Drink. Mayver’s Cacao Super Spread. Wolf Blass Silver Label Red Wine. Raw 46 Rawkin’Roons. Raw 46 Cheezy Kale Krackers.

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder Candlelight. Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream Transylvania. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Wash, Cologne and Body Creme. Caudalie Huile Divine Oil. Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder Light. 

Peanut Butter Jumper. Zara Black Mini Bag. Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity Run Leggings.

Just take a breather this January, my Lovelies.

K

Cacao And Coconut Christmas Morning Granola

Get your fat pants ready, it’s Christmas! 

The days are long, long gone where sleep felt like an impossible task on Christmas Eve. When I would wake every hour on the hour to reach my toes nervously towards the end of the bed, feeling for a stocking filled up with treats and gold chocolate coins. When my Brother and I would sneak down the stairs to catch a glimpse of presents under the tree, and impatiently tear open our chocolate selection boxes. Jumping onto our parents bed at ridiculous o'clock to beg to go downstairs and open all the presents. And although Christmas Mornings now start with a cheeky run with my Dad rather than wading though the sea of wrapping paper, one thing about Christmas never truly changes. Chocolate for breakfast, and the excitement of the feasting ahead. 

This Cacao and Coconut Granola, served with coconut yogurt, fresh berries and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, is such a delicious breakfast to start a day of indulgence. Full of whole ingredients with amazing properties for our bodies, homemade and sweetened naturally with a mixture of ground cinnamon and local runny honey, this stuff is so much better for us than the shop brought stuff. Not that you needed a reason on Christmas Morning to be quite so decadent…

Serves 6-8.

Ingredients

2 TBSP Coconut Oil

185g Mixed Nuts

35g Pumpkin Seeds

70g Raisins

35g Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut

1 TSP Cacao Powder

1 TSP Ground Cinnamon

2 TBSP Runny Honey

Method

1. Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the nuts, raisins and seeds to the pan first and stir frequently for 10 minutes. Then add the desiccated coconut, cacao powder, cinnamon and honey and reduce heat to low, stirring consistently for a further 5 minutes. Transfer the granola from the pan into a large bowl to cool completely. 
2. Serve with your chosen plant-based milk, or yogurt and fresh berries if you like.

Put on some cheesy Christmas music, sip slowly on a freshly brewed coffee and enjoy your Christmas Morning…

K

(This recipe was adapted from the Julie Montagu’s Chocolate and Coconut Granola recipe in the Sainsbury’s December 2016 issue).

Feel Good Festive Turmeric Milk

I'm always the first to embrace evenings spent watching cheesy Christmas films on Christmas 24/7, curled up on the sofa in a big cosy blanket. Starbucks Red Cups and warm gingerbread lattes. And if I'm going to be 100% honest with you, my Michael Bublé Christmas album hasn't actually left my car for the past 3 years I've had it...

If it were "acceptable" I would totally just have Christmas all year round. But apparently, along with eating Marmite out the jar with a spoon, it's just not. Isn't "acceptable" such a boring approach to life? 

I like to warm up my winter with this Feel Good Festive Turmeric Milk. Turmeric is an amazing spice, not only to colour your curries, but as an incredible source of antioxidants and it’s highly anti-inflammatory properties for the skin, body and mind. It contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which has proven in studies to be able to boost our levels of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, the feel good chemicals that help us to feel happy and calm. So not only is this drink a delightfully festive indulgence, it also helps us to feel a little brighter and less stressed during the darker winter months.

Serves 1

1 Cup Coconut Milk

1/2 Tablespoon Honey

1 Teaspoon Ground Turmeric

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

Pinch Of Black Pepper

1. Put all ingredients in a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for about 10 minutes, whisking to ensure all ingredients are combined.

2. Pour in to a mug and stir through with a cinnamon stick.

Enjoy

K

Sweet Deceits Raw Caramel Slice

I’ve spoken previously about my intense love affair with chocolate. 

How that instant pleasure seems to overwhelm and derail me, leaving me seeking more and more to keep that thrill alive. And then later, when that delight and sugar rush has worn off, how dejected I feel, realising that the bar wasn’t even that great. Yeah. Chocolate is that boy that never called you back.

But I never really could give up going after the bad guys (or er, chocolate), so I set out to find my safe highs in this post. 

Sweet Deceits is a company that makes these incredibly delicious dessert kits, exclusively using natural and real ingredients. That means no funny business. No hidden nasties. No excuses. In fact the only ingredients in the kit are Dates, Almonds, Coconut Oil, Gluten Free Oats, Raw Cacao Powder and Natural Fruit Extracts (apple, grape and carob). Suitable for gluten free and vegan diets. Just pure unadulterated fun. 

I picked up the Raw Caramel Slice Kit from The Protein Pick And Mix store locally to me, but they are widely available across the internet and health food shops. And at only £7.99, they make a cheaper date. 

Not only are they easy to make, as the quantities are all labelled and measured out already for you, they're deceivingly good for you and they’re even easier to eat an entire batch of.

So if you have a bit of a thing for the bad guys, I’ll tell you straight: the chocolate brownie is always going to look a whole lot better than it tastes, I promise. Unless of course it’s a Sweet Deceits brownie. So you know where to get your next safe chocolate high.

K

Food Guide To Berlin

As with most things in life, I like to find any occasion to indulge in delicious food. Birthday? Lets eat a giant slice of chocolate cake. Failed your driving test? Ah well, lets go cry into a bowl of carbs. Your Mum’s best-friend’s uncle’s son just got married? Why didn’t you say? We should totally go for dinner an celebrate! And travel is no exception. 

I’ve recently just returned from a weekend losing myself in Berlin celebrating a close friend's 21st Birthday. Now I’d like to say I spent the whole weekend getting outrageously drunk and partying until the wee hours of the morning, but alongside the red wine and cocktails, we mainly just got euphoric from the fantastic food and ate ourselves into food comas. Berlin is such a lovely, unusual city that I’d love to return to and explore more someday. Besides, there’s only so much a girl can eat in 72 hours, right?

Here’s my top picks for food in the city,

(Photo credit - CicoBerlin)

If you’re looking to dine alongside the locals…Caligari 

Kienitzer Straße 110 12049 Berlin

Finding this little Italian gem was akin to seeing a reservoir of water when struggling through deserts. We had wandered for hours and hours and finally came across Caligari, hidden down the backstreets of a Neukolln neighbourhood. Honestly, they probably could have served us spaghetti out of a tin and we still would have been thankful. Aesthetically, the interior is incredibly minimalistic and rustic, but the food was full of flavour and authentic. Luckily the staff could speak English and helped us translate their menu that changes on a daily basis. You definitely have to be open to trying something new, as options are very limited, but if all else fails, the freshly baked bread to dip in olive oil was to die for. 

If you’re looking for a cosy spot for a coffee… Distrikt

Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin

Dressed with exposed walls and old leather chesterfields, it’s the perfect setting to settle back and catch up over a coffee. Bear in mind it can get very busy on a weekend morning, but if you don’t mind sharing your sofa with some locals, go in and get comfy. I recommend the Poached Eggs & Smoked Salmon served on toast, or the Buttermilk Pancakes topped with fresh fruit and granola.

If you’re looking for raw, vegan food… Daluma

Weinbergsweg 3, 10119 Berlin

A completely raw cafe located in the heart of Berlin. It has a very hipster aesthetic and seems to be frequented by health foodies and yogis. Get there early to try their Buckwheat Porridge, or detox your system with their acai Dr Feel Good smoothie if you drank a little too much the night before. The staff are friendly and speak excellent english. 

(Photo credit - www.worldofwanderlust.com)

If you’re looking for something a little unusual… Shiso Burger

Auguststraße 29 c, 10119 Berlin

This Asian burger bar was a recommendation, and for a very good reason - I’m still dreaming of my Ebi burger (a burger made from black tiger shrimp) and homemade sweet potato fries. Very busy come evening, so reserved ahead of time or risk waiting for a table. Super casual and popular amongst friends and families alike. You must try the twisted potatoes if you go, but you can forgo the beer.

If you’re looking for the best brunch in Berlin... Le Bon

Boppstraße 1, 10967 Berlin

Maybe I’m just a bit biased, swayed by their dreamy interior and delicious eggs, but Le Bon must be the best place to spot by for brunch in Berlin. Great coffee, lovely staff, and not too busy. Try their Shakshuka served with roasted chickpeas, tahini and toasted sourdough, and thank me later.  

Do you have any good recommendations for food in Berlin?

K

Blackberry & Apple Crumble

I reckon the crumble resembles me quite a lot. If we're comparing ourselves to desserts, that is.

I'd like to say I'm study, like a pound cake. Made of simple ingredients all in equal measures, reliable, and can be knocked about quite a bit and still taste great.

But no. Under my crispy surface, I'm all sweet and mushy and full of fruit. I'm a complex blend of cinnamon and spices, which in the wrong quantities can seem either overbearing or under powering. On the outside, I do this pretty great job at holding myself together, but if you go and take a big spoonful out of me, I'll just crumble everywhere. And don't think you can throw me about and I'll still look delicious, I won't. Take care of me, fly me first class, or I'll just be a soggy mess on the dinner table.

Anyway, now like many other berries, blackberries are little antioxidant powerhouses, which can provide many great benefits for the skin and body, potentially protecting against certain cancers, ageing and inflammation. They're also an excellent source of vitamins C, A, E and K when part of a balanced diet, and contain many minerals including potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese.

Not sure what most of that does to our bodies? Me neither. Basically just note they’re good for us and even more delicious at the moment because they’re in season in the UK. So the perfect excuse to bake a crumble.

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the filling:

4 Gala Apples

200g Blackberries

2 tsp Runny Honey

2 Cinnamon Sticks

2 Star Anise

For the crumble topping:

200g Porridge Oats

50g Rice/Spelt/Gluten Free Flour

2 tsp Olive Oil

4 tbsp Runny Honey

Ground Cinnamon

Serve with:

• Custard
• Ice Cream
• Yogurt

Method

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Peel, core and dice your apples. Add these to a large sauce pan with 160ml water, 100g blackberries, runny honey, cinnamon stick and star anise. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine your oats, flour, olive oil, runny honey and cinnamon together using your hands.

Take your apple mixture off the heat and spoon out any excess liquid. Pour the mixture into an oven proof dish and top with the rest of your blackberries. Cover with your crumble topping and put in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve and enjoy.

And what dessert do you reckon you would be?

K

Sundried Tomato & Walnut Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

I was one of those really deprived children that only got a roast dinner like once a year, at Christmas. I also never got that pony I asked for each year, or one of those little electric cars that I could sit and cruise about in. But one mustn't complain, at least I always got a new pair of underwear in my stocking to unwrap.

It hasn't got much better since on the roast dinner front. Or the pony, or the car, come to think of it. So when I do, on the very odd occasion, have something that slightly resembles one, I like to go in on it all guns blazing.

These mushrooms are loaded with lots of fresh and delicious flavours, and taste great drizzled with balsamic vinegar and served with a big salad. But I've got to say, they taste a whole lot better drowned in gravy, with roast potatoes and a mountain of steamed vegetables. The photos just wouldn't have been as aesthetically pleasing. 

So the choice is up to you, but for me, there's very little competition. Treat the veggie in your life to some damn good stuffed mushrooms to leave 'em feeling stuffed until their next roast dinner. 

Makes 4 Portobello Mushrooms

Ingredients

4 Portobello Mushrooms

Fresh Parsley Roughly Chopped

Spinach Roughly Chopped

1 Red Bell Pepper Finely Diced

1 Shallot Finely Diced

50g Sundried Tomatoes

30g Walnuts Chopped

Salt & Pepper To Taste

Method

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Remove the stems from your mushrooms and set to one side to add to your filling. Place the mushrooms stem side up on your baking tray and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes.

In a pan, dry fry your pepper, shallots, sundried tomatoes, walnuts, diced mushrooms stems, parsley and spinach with a little bit of salt & pepper to season. 

Remove mushrooms from the oven and pour off any of the excess water that has gathered. Fill the mushrooms and bake in the oven for a further 10-15 minutes. 

Drown in gravy, and enjoy.

What's your favourite vegetarian roast dinner dish?

K

Healthy Snacks To Keep You Dancing All Night Long

Gym?

No.

I thought you said Gin.

And never was there a more accurate representation of what my weekend at Bestival is going to look like.

Now a great deal of the time I love choosing to eat whole, clean foods. I drink plenty of water, I get my 8 hours sleep a night and I exercise regularly. I do my best to be a healthy individual. But that doesn’t mean to say I don’t like to let my hair down from time to time, drown myself in glitter and indulge in a multitude of sins.

Yes, sometimes I choose to eat a bit of junk food if it’s what I’m really craving.

Party all night long instead of getting some shut eye.

And hey, if you’re passing me a glass of gin, who am I to throw it back in your face?

I’m trying to master that tricky balance in being healthy and letting myself have fun, but know that both are completely acceptable. 

So when you’re reading this, remember that these snacks are not an accurate representation of my weekend (in the slightest). These snacks represent a small proportion of what I will be eating. They are “ideal” choices to grab if I get hungry and keep me full of energy to dance all night long.  And I am the Snack Queen, so it would be an awful shame not to live up to my name. 

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs are great alternatives to just picking up a bag of crisps.

These Nakd and Trek bars both contain 1-your-5-a-day and leave me feeling full and satisfied, as well as providing instant energy from the dates and protein from the nuts and soya crunchies. 

Apples and Bananas are both ideal fresh fruit choices as they don’t require refrigeration.

These Pip & Nut Sachets pair well with the Kallo Rice Cakes to make a quick snack full of healthy fats and carbohydrates. 

I ordered a massive box of these Of The Earth Superfoods Cereal Pots to take with me as you can make them with both cold and hot water for a speedy snack. Made exclusively with super foods such as spirulina, barley grass, green tea, maca and goji berries, they’re a great energy boosting way to start the day.

I’m also taking a pack of the Koko Coconut Milk Cartons to either make teas/coffees with, or to drink with a piece of fruit.

Alcohol! Because no great story ever started with a salad…

K