I am a person who loves finding new things in life - I love to explore delicacies of food & culture. I enjoy being around like-minded people especially those who make me laugh!
Am a huge fan of salted caramel sauce - it's always the first flavour I reach out to when it comes to ice cream or chocolate treats. I love the combination of the milky popcorn-like flavour with a hint of sharp salt, it's very strange but I am so glad it was invented!
Now that I am eating more 'cleaner' I decided to try making some gluten free, dairy free flapjacks & the main sauce I was craving for was salted caramel.
This sauce tastes just like the real deal but without the double cream & sugars, it's a perfect guilt free sauce for a treat!
You need :
• 1 cup of dates (go for natural/organic)
• 3 tbsp almond butter
• 3 tbsp agave or organic honey if you can't find it
• 1/4 spoon of himalyan salt or sea salt
• half cup water
I use everything as organic as possible to make it more beneficial for your body to absorb. I never use table salt , himalyan salt & sea salt has more minerals in which is much better for your body!
To make:
Soak the cup of dates in half cup of water for 1-2 hours, add all the mixture into a blender (including the water soaked in the dates). Blend until there's no lumps and taste. If you prefer more salt then add it & keep blending until it's all mixed together.
It's easy right? You're all done!
This can last in your fridge for up to a few weeks so don't forget to label the date you make it - but I don't think it will last too long as it's so yummy !!
Ever fancied a sweet treat but felt bad about the calories & sugar content? I always crave for a sweetener after my meals especially if the meals were salty, it almost feels like my body is telling me I need to neutralise it. Having said that, I have been trying to cut out the sugars from my diet as my body is having too much, once I start on a sweetener I have too much! Anyone else out there who does the same thing?
Today I had a sudden craving of something nutty with cacao but healthy snack, thanks to a lovely person I met recently she has totally inspired me to make these - Thanks Jayne!
What did I make? I made a gluten free, healthy-ish flapjack which contained hazelnuts, oats, almond butter, organic coconut oil, raw cacao & natural agave. Combined together it ended up like this!
I also added some matcha powder sprinkled on top to add some extra flavour and altogether it tasted delicious!
Matcha powder is full of anti oxidants if you buy the real matcha powder - in total
This whole snack idea was totally beneficial!
I don't have the full recipe just yet as I added things randomly but next time I make them I will add my full recipe as this one was just an experiment !
Huge trend in America, Asia, and now in England - it is like an alternative to a meal or as a snack, depending on my mood but usually I have it as a treat.
When I travel, I always find my nearest frozen yoghurt kiosk and luckily I have one near-by which have endless options in their toppings and sauce for a set price!
I am never disappointed in the freshness of their fruits and their chocolate brownies are always soft and chewy, perfect infusion as a treat!
Meecha is famous for their bubble tea drinks as well as their frozen yoghurt's, there aren't many places in Birmingham or England for that matter so it is dissapointing to not find one when I visit a different city or country. Luckily for me, I have frozen yoghurt kiosk nearby called Meecha (use to be called Moocha if you are confused about the names).
Meecha offer a choice of 4 different sizes starting with mini, small, medium and large. I usually go for a small as it is very satisfying with the toppings for just an extra 80p, unless if you have a large and you want toppings then it's £1 extra.
There are 2 choices of flavours for their frozen yoghurt's, original or vanilla (very similar to ice cream as it's sweeter). I usually go for the original as I like to mix up my toppings and one reason out of many reasons why I *love* Meecha's frozen yoghurt's is simply because their original flavoured frozen yoghurt isn't sour. When someone mentions frozen yoghurt, we automatically assumed its going to taste like frozen probiotic yoghurt which is oh-so-sour, but no, it isn't. You will be suprised how yummy it tastes! The texture is very important for me and it strikes the right balance between icy and creamy.
If you are a fan of sweet deserts or love fruit with ice cream then I would highly recommend a frozen yoghurt as they are satisfying and a real treat on a sunny day.
There is a choose-your-own-toppings service and the staff are very approachable when it comes to recommendations which is very helpful as there are sooooooo many choices.
Prices start from £2 without toppings mini - large size tubs
Choice of toppings is endless, I love their variety because as a treat, I would have the chocolate brownies and/or chocolate buttons as well as the blueberries and/or strawberries ( you got to weigh the good with the bad hey! ) but depending on my mood I may add the popping pearls. The flavours for the popping pearls are unique because they have lychee, mango, passion fruit and more. I usually go for passion fruit to go with my blueberries.
The popping pearls can be quite weird at first because no one really knows what to expect but they are addictive as they're fun to eat and fruity - if you like fruit syrup then highly recommend this! You can have as much flavours as you like for the same price which is fantastic!
various sauce for the topping - I opted for butterscott today!
Meecha offer a loyalty card for any of their products, which means everytime you visit, you present your loyalty card and they stamp to indicate your visit, after 9 purchases, your 10th is free. Not only this is a great offer but if you work in the Bullring or have a valid NUS card, you get 10% off - Meecha are generous and love customers going back for more than 1 visit.
my final product - yummeh!!! I definitely did enjoy this out in the sun!
If you're visiting Birmingham then this is a place I would recommend to try as Meecha is only available in Bullring Birmingham at the moment. Suitable for all ages, male and female. Did I also mention to you that the toppings are gluten free and also vegetarian friendly?
I love cooking, like really really do!! I also love macarons and although it has taken me about 100 attempts this year, I have never once given up on making them perfectly , or as perfectly as I could!! Sometimes they turn out ok, sometimes they are a completely disaster (in my eyes) but sometimes they taste perfectly (as stated by my friends who try them).
So tonight, I decided to bake sea salt caramel flavoured macarons because it is one of my all time favourite flavours when it comes to a treat. Just love the sticky texture with a hint of salt on the tip of my tongue, the infusion is just so perfect - I love it!!
Ok, so my TR90 weight management plan kind of went abit off the side (which I will get back on track tomorrow) but I mainly baked these for my colleagues at work tomorrow night for when it turns 2014 at midnight. I only eat macarons as a treat because they are so delicate and difficult to bake.
What will you be doing on New Years Eve when it turns 2014?
I am sharing my love with people who I care about at work!
Christmas is over , New Year's Day is just around the corner, it's cold here in Englad and still no sign of the snow? Quite strange really but we have had gale force winds and some places in the south have been flooded!
Quite a lot of people around me have had the sniffles, colds & flu are still spreading. The one main purchase I made yesterday was this beautiful bag of lemons and limes. Perfect to add to hot water with honey and a tea bag is optional. They are versatile all year round for me, I use them to kill bacteria in my fridge simply by cutting them in half and just let them sit in the fridge for a few days, or add them to my cooking.
If you want to boost your immune system then why don't you try a cup of lemon water every morning or perhaps if you fancy a hot drink then try hot honey lemon tea to start your day?
Today I am on day 20 of the 90 day challenge I set myself up for, together combining with healthier eating plans, supplements and working on the body engine (AKA metabolism).
As promised, I will complete a diary entry, which I have a book for that I use to jot down what I eat, and whether I have hunger or cravings for it, and also where I eat it. This allows me to keep track of how I feel during a day of work as time goes on.
At first, I struggled with the eating because on some days I would eat very little and just snack on high energy foods in between what I do, or some days I would eat big portions of meals, 3-6 times a day. Usually every 2-3 hours I get really hungry, and when I say hungry, I mean like my stomach rumbles for feeding. I do tend to get abit moody when I am hungry as I am demanding for food and do have dizzy spells when I don't eat within a few hours. I just need food all the time basically, my handbags always have emergency food and I am always cooking and eating hehe.....
Following the TR90 food plan is tricky at the start as you have to cut out certain foods and replace it with protein. I cut out crisps over 3 months ago as I was eating 3+ packets per day!! I love crisps, I would happily sit there and eat 3 packets in one sitting! The last time I ate crisps, I ate 28 packets of Hula Hoops in 4 days! I said to myself ' I have got to stop ' and I did! I feel better for it and as soon as I started the TR90 program, I knew I would have more of a challenge as my favourite foods would be constantly on my mind.
I have no self control when it comes to eating, I don't know when to stop and I dont know if I am hungry unless my stomach growls at me, and sometimes when my stomach does growl, I dont feel like eating so I dont. The TR90 helps to work on the mindset, perfect for me as that's where one of my main problems are!! I keep a track record of my cravings and hunger and I can see now my cravings are less and I know when to stop eating now. Every meal is measured in portions simply by using your hands.
I have put on 4kg but my body is more defined and I can feel my stomach is not as flabby as before which I am loving, I am not an exercise type of person as I know during the day/night when I work, I am constantly running about and up on my feet. However, I have started spending atleast 4 whole minutes on 100 reps atleast per day to help me lose the fat quicker!
I am continuing to be constantly up on my feet and using weights to tone up my arms, am not hungry as often anymore but I do have cravings for vegetables even more than usual, which isn't a bad thing I suppose!
Sweet potato seeded salmon salad with a dollop of light cream cheese
Here is an example of one of my meals this week......
I have bought sweet potatoes before but now I eat it a few times a week as part of my non meat protein options. Sweet potatoes are high in anti-oxidant beta carotene which may help slow the ageing process and reducing the risk of some cancers. I really enjoy eating them now!
Right now it's 03:05am, and am wide awake as am doing night shifts at the hospital this week - I hate reversing my body clock.
I don't get use to it although everyone seems to think I do and no, I don't enjoy it simply because my mind can't stay active all the time, therefore I take supplements to build up my immune system! Without them, I would be a wreck lol!!
So I have completed 3 full days of the TR90, don't know if my body has lost any fat yet as I have found out tonight my eating plan was kind of wrong lol. As am doing night shifts this week, I wake up and eat proteins with the carbs because I don't eat for about 12 hours before I actually wake up for the shift. I become hungry and need the energy to keep me going as it would be at least about 8 hours before I can eat again so I eat some carbohydrates to keep my energy levels going! I realised I should be eating the carbohydrates in my last meal before bed as the body starves whilst I sleep. This makes sense to me but at the same time it doesn't.
Whenever I do night shifts, I sleep 6 hours maximum, broken sleep so I don't actually get the right number of hours sleep that I need. My body is awake for 15-18 hours per day and hardly have time to rest. Due to the nature of my job, it's not easy to just have a rest and sitting down to eat can be a chore.
I work as a nurse full time and my shifts are 12.5 hours at a time at least so I am up on my feet majority of the time dealing with high levels of stress but I am happy all of the time. Infact, its rare for me to be unhappy unless I really really am lol!
I have kept my TR90 diary, writing down my moods, the foods I eat and which supplements I Have taken for the day. I take my multi vitamins which help to boost my immune system and look after my heart as well as my eyes and brain function which is vital for what I do.
So far, I have been craving and been constantly hungry during my night shifts. It has been so cold lately therefore my body is trying to adjust to the colder temperatures and the stress of the job is higher! have sat down to snack and eat my food which help to fill me but I am craving for vegetables even more than usual! I often crave for dark chocolate whenever I am low in energy, I enioy the chocolate flavour protein bars from this TR90 and they are filling. They are actually I meal replacement!
Today I am off work so I will sleep at dawn, wake up in day time (which will be weird to see day light) and do what I gotta do... eating the right way as recommended in the TR90 system.
I have to confess, I haven't done the 100 reps exercise either.... I will start tomorrow as day 1!
Love Love seeing peoples results in the TR90 group on facebook, I can't wait to be measured up after 2 weeks.... although my pictures taken the night before I started day 1 weren't exactly great LOL but I don't care!! I am a walking testimonial !
XOX
** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my
own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been
contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **
Send me an email if you're interested to buy!
Your skin can show discolouration, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, spots,wrinkles, blackheads when its suffering. We can chose to ignore it but sometimes we feel the pain from the skin and it becomes worse. Sometimes untreatable but using the right products can save you!
I always read the back of the ingredients when it comes to skin products because I like to know what I am using on my skin and also in case I have a reaction, I would know what to avoid in future.
I spend money on products to help my skin reverse the damage so of course I am going to ensure what am using is beneficial especially if it's a product highly raved by many beauty lovers!
Nu Skin have a range called 180ยบ which specifically help diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, refines texture and evens skin tone for a more youthful appearance in as little as 7 days! I was very intrigued as the name caught my attention! I have read SO many good reviews on it!
For £41 there is 125ml of the product long lasting and can be used as a face wash or as a face mask, both very effective for the skin!
I use mine 1-2 times a day and it has lasted me for about 3 months now and I am not even half way through the tube therefore, it is very cost effective!
It is highly recommended by Doctors and researchers that, using 10% of Vitamin C on our skin , it would improve the skins texture and elasticity!
Nu Skin 180 Cleanser is one of the most extraordinary cleansers on the market!Active Vitamin C is a critical nutrient for skin firmness and radiance Not only is it very beneficial for the skin helping multiple levels of signs of ageing, but it can be proven to be a life saver for age spots and dark circles! Newspaper article asks the question of ' can Vitamin C cure wrinkles?' - yes it can help diminish those evil lines, if the product is genuine. I can prove if the products contain Vitamin C.....
In this product, the main active ingredients include:
sesame and soybean oils - prevents moisture lost
grape seed, ginkgo biloba leaf and ginseng extracts to provide antioxidant protection
Pro's:
firms the skin
brightens the complexion
repairs the signs of damage from harmful UVA/UVB rays
diminishes appearance of dark circles/age spots
smells fresh
supports collagen production therefore skin becomes more elasticated and plump
leaves skin feel soft and refreshed
suitable for any age
Features a patented waterless formula that delivers 10% active, free-flowing vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to the skin.
I use this in the morning and night, with just a small amount, it melts onto my skin. I ensure my face is make up free, I wet my face with luke warm, apply a pea sized amount onto my finger tips avoiding the eye area, then massage it softly onto my face concentrating on where there are lines like around my mouth area. This can help the fine lines to be deeply cleansed and prevent deeper lines. When the product is set on my skin, I wash it off with cool water then pat my face dry.
When my face has absorbed too much sun from my holiday, I had dark spots, freckle-like marks. I applied this 180 cleanser onto the face as a mask and let it set for 5 minutes. I then washed it off and my marks has faded and my skin glowed. This is how powerful this gentle cleanser is therefore it is very beneficial for marks on the face.
Please note: lathering the cleanser onto the hands before applying it to the face WILL release the Vitamin C therefore decreasing the benefits of the cleanser so apply it quickly to the face to get maximum effect!
This is definitely my ultimate favourite cleanser for the autumn-winter season as it helps to brighten my skin and gives it that radiance it deserves! You owe it to yourself to have healthy looking radiant skin!
XOX
** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my
own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been
contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **
Send me an email if you're interested to buy!
Today is going to be an exciting day as it will be day 1 of a 90 day challenge program I have set myself up for! With the help from Nu Skin I am starting the TR90 worlds first genetic weight management program!
Now, you might look at me and judge me thinking why am I going on it? I get that A LOT which is why the next 90 days is going to be so exciting for me and for my viewers! There will be a diary of the 90 day journey so watch this space!!
TR90 was only available for a limited time offer for a few days but due to it's high demand world wide, 20,000 kits were sold in 90 minutes across Europe! Not only that, in Greater China 20,000 kits were sold in 1 day, Korea sold theirs in 4 hours and in America it sold out in 30 minutes!
WOW!!!
With the advanced genetic science to prove this weight management program, it has become the worlds first genetic launch of a new era! Nu Skin shares had gone up dramatically in such a short time! and more and more people have become more health conscious , which is fantastic!!
I was super excited to receive my TR90 as I was VERY lucky to have been able to buy it! It was available from 8am on the 7th October 2013.... facebook went crazy as people were uploading photos and statuses! LOL!
So why did I buy it? Well, I really really wanted to do something about my internal and external sources of weight management which is what the TR90 is specifically for. It gives you your adequate supplements, and stops you from yo-yo dieting which is what I have been doing all my life - it ain't good for my body in the long term!
Dieting actually makes you fat - sounds so wrong but it damages your body engine which helps you to lose the 'weight' but did you know that muscles are heavier than fat? so if you're losing the fat but building the muscles, you are bound to weigh more. It's all about looking and feeling, not the scales.
The kit includes:
TR90 JS Your 2-week boost to get you primed and ready for lasting success.
TR90 COMPLEX F Rev up your body’s system! Ingredients such as green tea extract will help you to enhance your metabolism.
TR90 COMPLEX C Is your mind ready to feel the transformation? Complex C will help strengthen your willpower while you are on your journey!
TR90 M-BARS An easy and delicious solution that removes the
guesswork − giving you the protein you need to contribute to a growth
and maintenance in muscle mass.
TR90 Programme Guide This essential guide is complementary to the TR90 supplements. It includes an eating plan, exercises and a 90-day diary.
The first time I ever tried green tea vermicelli was at a korean restaurant in Hong Kong a few years back! I love green tea anything!! I have this obsession with anti-oxidant foods and I love the taste/scent of green tea!!
I like noodles from time to time, although I am a very fussy eater, I favour in japanese or korean noodles. I only eat noodles that are thick like udon or flat like 'ho fun' chinese ones.I love the texture and how they look, especially when I cook them with vegetables, tofu and an egg!
Green tea vermicelli tastes pure, unique in flavour and kinda weird to look at but I assure you, it looks interesting in a bowl or on a plate! but for some people it can be quite off-putting because of the colour and possibly the smell if they aren't a fan of green tea. I like to try these weird and wonderful things!
I found these unique noodles in a chinese supermarket in the Korean section, I was super excited to buy these and cook them at home!!
In the pack there are 5 handfuls, each handful consists of quite alot for one serving, I would recommend to split them in half if you are cooking for one.
They are seperated with the paper band around them, which is a clever idea because when it comes to cook noodles, we just put in more than we need, especially when you are hungry lol!
Each time I cook these noodles, I use one handful and make 2-3 meals out of them, I cook them with vegetables, tofu, fried egg and sometimes meat so realistically, you don't need that much noodles!
They cook quite fast, within 3-5 minutes they are cooked and they go soggy and stick to the pan so you have to be quick with these bad boys!
It is impossible to boil them then pan fry them as there is too much water in the strands, therefore , they stick to the pan!
Pro's:
green tea is known for it's anti-oxidant
fun colour on your plate
fast to cook
Con's:
suitable for noodle soup or dry boiled noodle style
sticks to the pan if it gets too soggy
unsure how much green tea is in each meal
hard to find
I must admit, the flavour for the noodles aren't as intense as I expected, the freshest green tea noodles have a heavy taste of green tea but this one didn't and i was quite skeptical about finding out how much green tea was actually in these noodles? I felt like I was conned lol.
Nevertheless, I found something I didnt expect to find and I was so happy to have had the chance to cook it at home and re-live that memory of tasting green tea noodles again!!
I had so much fun cooking with this and it has made my meals very interesting to look at!! I serve mine with slight soup base, tofu, chinese vegetables like pak choi or gai lan, and also a fried egg.
If you are looking for a unique dish and you like noodles or green tea then try this!
