Cucumber Cleansing Juice

This refreshing juice is ideal as a pick me up, especially the morning after a few too many drinks..! It's full of oxidising, alkaline ingredients and has a really fresh taste...

You'll need;

Half a cucumber

1 kiwi
2 handfuls spinach
2 handfuls kale
2 Romaine lettuce leaves
1 heaped teaspoon wheatgrass
2 handfuls blueberries
100ml water
Juice of half a lemon
Optional: dessicated coconut to top

Chop your cucumber and chuck it in your blender along with everything else. Blend until smooth and enjoy cool...

Chocolate Pancakes

These clean little babies are ideal to make for a leisurely weekend breakfast, or perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon. They're so indulgent and filling - and more importantly for us, really easy to make.

You'll need;

30g oats
1 mashed banana
1 tea spoon organic cacao powder
1 free range egg

Toppings;

Fage Greek Yoghurt
Blueberries
Meridian Almond Butter
Cinnamon

Method:

First, combine the oats, cacao and egg into a large bowl and stir. Mash the ripe banana and fold into the mixture.

Heat a pan with some coconut oil and when really hot, ladle your pancake mixture into the pan - it's up to you how big / thin / small you decide to make each pancake, I've gone for three scoops in this particular recipe, cooking one at a time.

Flip each pancake a couple of times to ensure the egg is cooked all the way through.

Top with whatever you fancy - I've gone for blueberries, nut butter, Greek yoghurt and a cinnamon dusting, but I also love adding raspberries, dessicated coconut and chia seeds.

My Week in Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I have to say I completely agree. Without fail one of the first things I think about when I get up is what I'm going to eat, and there's nothing more indulgent than planning your weekend breakfast from the warmth of your duvet on a Saturday morning!

I try to vary my breakfasts as much as I can, to get a variety of nutrients from my first meal.

This is an average representation of what I eat - the key I find is in the preparation!

On a work day I'll eat my breakfast at my desk, so needs to be prepped the night before..

Monday - Overnight Oats - 8.30am

This is one of my favourite treat breakfasts and I find it keeps me really full until about 12. It's so sweet and creamy and feels like a treat, which is a good way to start the week!

Usually I'll have; 30g oats, topped with Fage Greek Yoghurt, frozen blueberries, cinnamon and chia seeds. Maybe some milled linseed or raspberries too, if I've got some in stock. 

#messyoatporn

Tuesday - Eggs & Avocado

If I'm off to the gym before work, I find this a really filling and satisfying breakfast. If you'd have told me a year ago that two boiled eggs is enough to sustain you all morning I'd have probably laughed in your face, but honestly, it does!

I hard boil 2 eggs and leave them to cool before placing them in tupperware with half an avocado and black pepper to season. If anyone has tips on how to not make the eggs smell as much.. pllleeease pass on your nugget of wisdom!!

Wednesday - Green Smoothie

I'll make a variation of my trusty green smoothie which usually includes; 

1 banana

2 large handfuls spinach

2 handfuls kale

1 heaped teaspoon spirulina

1 heaped teaspoon wheatgrass

100 ml of either; unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened soya milk, coconut milk or coconut water

1 handful frozen berries: blueberries and / or raspberries

1/2 avocado
Sprinkle of cinnamon

... if I've got fruit in like kiwi or mango I'll chuck some of them in too! 

This goes into a shaker and I'll drink with a straw.

Thursday - Eggs & Avocado 

Boom. Eggs again. 

Friday - Overnight Oats

Like Monday, this is a treat but to celebrate the weeeeekend.

Same combo as above pretty much!

In the summer I'll have green smoothies more than the oats, but I find that in the winter I need to physically eat something rather than just drink, in order to feel satisfied.

Weekends - 11am 

I'll usually have a big breakfast on the weekend, as if I'm getting up later my meal times tend to be a little bit skewed, so if I wake up later and eat breakfast later, I'll just have a light lunch and healthy snacks throughout the day before dinner.

Usually breakfast consists of poached eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach sauteed in coconut oil.

I'll also slice up 1/3 of a lemon and a few slices of fresh ginger and have this as my morning cup of tea. If I'm feeling like I need a nutrient boost I'll make myself a green smoothie to go along side it.

I'm also a massive porridge fan. If I'm having porridge I'll cook 30g oats and 2 cups of either coconut / unsweetened almond / soya milk on the hob, stirring in cinnamon and cacao powder. When it's just about cooked, I'll add some frozen blueberries and top with a chopped banana, chia seeds, dessicated coconut and Meridian almond butter.... which has made me reallllyyy hungry thinking about it! It's chocolatey, warming and deliciously filling.

I also looovee to make healthy pancakes, which I'm going to do a separate recipe post on.. so watch this space ;) 

Anyone have any other ideas I could incorporate? 

Smoked Shakshouka with Feta

I whipped this little baby up for lunch today and my god it is so so moreish. The smoked paprika gives it a hearty kick and the creamy feta and egg yolk work perfectly to blend in with the fresh sauce and crunchy veg.

To make one serving, you'll need:

• 2 free range eggs
• 1/2 courgette
• 1 small onion (or 1/2 a large one)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/3 tub passata
• 2 tblspn smoked paprika
• 1 tblspn Moroccan spice
• 30g Feta 
• Black pepper to season

Chop your onion and garlic and begin to sautee in a pan. Add your chopped courgette and pepper along with your passata and let it simmer for five. Throw in your smoked paprika and Moroccan spice and cover for ten minutes on a medium heat. 

Then, make a dint in your sauce with a wooden spoon and drop your egg in. Do the same for the other egg. Let your eggs cook for about three to five minutes, until the clear substance is white. 

Use a spatula to lift your eggs out into a dish, and pour the remaining sauce in. Crumble your feta on top, sprinkle with black pepper and devour. 

Apparently Shakshouka is amazing at helping to cure a hangover - to all those not partaking in dry January, join me next Saturday in attempting to banish a red wine headache..!