Super Duper Porridge

Recipe Below!

When it comes to breakfast, my appreciation for porridge has reached epic levels. Winter mornings are hell, and when I awake, I'm looking for something hearty, substantial and downright nourishing. Porridge is the one thing I know I can rely on during the colder months.

There are many ways to create porridge and I say create, because there is a definite art in producing a decent bowl. Of course, there are many ways of making what is essentially just oats and liquid, but here are a few of my own pointers (gained after many, many years of experimentation). 

• Choose Jumbo Oats. (And preferably organic) I find these work best as they have been least tampered with. Plus they create a lovely nutty texture.

• Use Milk. Always. I cook porridge with skimmed milk, but friends often say to me they make theirs with water to 'save calories.' I think this is a mistake and a false economy. The protein in the milk helps give you a well-rounded breakfast and keeps you fuller for longer. Plus, you're getting calcium to strengthen your bones. If you can't tolerate/don't like cow's milk, choose an alternative like soya or rice. 

• Cook it in a Saucepan. Step away from the microwave. Porridge made on the stove top is far superior in taste and only takes 5-10 minutes. 

I have decided to share my very special porridge recipe. It's one of my favourites.

Cinnamon and Raisin Porridge with Toasted Almonds

You will need:

• Organic Jumbo Porridge Oats (Approx 40g for 1)

• Skimmed Milk (180mls for 1)

• Raisins

• Cinnamon

• Flaked Almonds

• Whole Almonds

• Agave Nectar/Maple Syrup to serve.

1. Turn hob onto a medium heat setting.

2. In a saucepan place the oats and pour in the milk.

3. Sprinkle in some raisins. (However many you think you want!)

4. Add in a few of whole almonds. (Optional)

5. Spoon in some Cinnamon. (As much or as little as you like)

6. Allow to come to the boil and then simmer. Stir frequently.

7. As the porridge thickens, take a small non-stick frying pan and tip in the flaked almonds.

8. Heat & watch carefully as they will burn easily!

9. When the flaked almonds are nicely browned  - set to one side.

10. Tip the porridge into a bowl, drizzle with syrup and top with almonds.

11. Serve with a nice cuppa peppermint tea!

Cinnamon & Raisin Porridge with Toasted Almonds. Nom Nom!

That's all for today folks. I hope you liked this post - feel free to comment below and do tell me, are you a porridge lover? Or do you still think it is inedible grey sludge?

Ciao for now x

Ten Things That Rock My World.

As yesterday was a bank holiday here in the UK, I decided to spend my day doing rather a different and slightly light-hearted post. Apologies for it not going up on the day itself but unfortunately I've been struck down by some evil cold bug and I didn't quite have the umph to get it published. 

In essence, having a three day weekend gave me time to stop, which I rarely do, and ponder the things, besides beauty & makeup, which give me a little flutter in my stomach or a little grin on my face. 

1. Dancing Insanely

I do like to break out a few moves every once in a while. Really just go a bit crazy and let my body 'go with the flow.' I may well put a video up at some point, if you're lucky ;)

"You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart."

2. Creativity

 Two of my paintings.

Two pieces of my homemade jewellery

For me, being creative isn't necessarily about painting or making jewellery it's about taking risks, growing, experimenting and having fun.

"Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been." ~ Adla.


3.  My Dog Sprout

This new mix will sound proper bangin' through my new woofers!

Sprout and I come as a package. Wherever I go, he goes pretty much - we are inseparable. His ears smell like popcorn, his nickname is Toad and well, he won't get up in the morning. See below.

 
"Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell" Emily Dickinson

4. Silver Jewellery

A selection of the places my silver radar has searched out!

I'm like a magpie when it comes to silver jewellery, especially earrings and silver bangles. Anything unusual looking - good quality and items I can imagine passing down to any future children I may have. I will be doing a 'I love silver jewellery' post in the not too distant future so I won't reveal that much now, but if you're a regular reader of my blog you'll know I like vintage pieces, particularly marcasite. 

5. Romance/Love

I am a true romantic at heart and I love to be loved/be in love.

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." ~ Aristotle 

6. Music (In it's many forms)

Bass time

The Ravonettes

Music plays a massive part in my life, whether it be learning to play my bass, going to gigs, writing songs or listening to my ipod. It helps me think, express emotion and sometimes, be transported somewhere else. 

"Music is what feelings sound like"

7. Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt 

A small selection of recent eats...

The cold stuff. I just love it. Has to be either vanilla or pistachio. Added fruit and/or nuts a bonus. I am particular though - no chocolate or strawberry allowed. (Unless it is SNOG's Chocolate fro yo then it's allowed...)
Remember Tutti Frutti? Do they still make that flavour? Oh that was awesome...

8. Inner Peace & Spirituality

My Buddha Head

Reflecting by the Sea.

I am always striving to find balance and contentment in my life. Spirituality helps me.

"Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances." ~ Gandhi

9. Keeping Fit & Healthy 

Jumping on a trampoline, dancing, yoga, running, Taekwondo or just walking Sprout - being active is super important to me. At various times in my life I've been so physically unwell and so exhausted that I haven't been able to move around at all. Now, I really don't take for granted the fact I can do as I please (although a tad slower than everyone else!)

10. Markets

What goodies can I spy?!

I ADORE a good rummage round a market. From aromatic spices to vintage clothes to complete tat - I'm there. Firstly, there's the excitement of finding something you like and then you've got the whole process of bartering the price. Always start off with half of what they want and work from there, and remember to be polite & friendly. 

And you obviously can't miss...?

11. Breakfast!

Bit of fruit, muesli & yogurt - energy for the day.

There are just so many awesome foods to eat at breakfast. Porridge, pancakes, yogurts, muesli's, eggs Benedict, muffins...Nom nom nom!!!!

So that's it folks, I really hope you've enjoyed this post. Why not do it yourself on your own blog? I'd love to see ten things that rock your world...(link me in by leaving your address in the comments box below...) 

To get the ball rolling on this one, I'm going to tag a few fellow bloggers to have a go, but in essence, I tag everyone. 

Right:

Julie from Memybest&I

Natalie from pixielashes

Bettina from BeautySwot 

Vivianna from Vivannadoesmakeup

Bex from Bex-4-ever

Natalie from Flaneur in the City

Sinead from Dainty DollyMix

Hannah from Which way to Wonderland? 

MSodapop from MSodapop 

Clare from Bigbeautyblog
Zo from the london lipgloss 

I shall await eagerly! 

Also, there is still time to enter my MEGA UBER giveaway - all you have to do is click HERE.

Ciao for now x

Three Uber Healthy Snacklets

This morning I had a very tasty juice from Planet Organic in Westbourne Grove; Apple, celery, lemon & cucumber.

Super refreshing and I knew that all those vitamins and minerals would be doing me no end of good. All the ingredients of this juice (which I am sure you can whizz up at home) offer some interesting health benefits - 

• Cucumber juice contains silicon and sulfur which makes it super helpful in promoting hair growth.
• Celery can help to eliminate toxins from the body and is a natural diuretic.
• Apple juice is an all around star - full of vitamin C & A, as well as anti-oxidants.

Anyway, enough rambling and onto the main point of this blog post. It is true to say that I am very conscious of all the skincare products that I use. I look at all the ingredients, choose products that where possible do not use PEGS, parabens or other 'nasties.'  

The truth is though, to get your skin in peak condition what you put into your body counts just as much as what you put onto it. Therefore, here are three of my current favourite healthy foods. Mega yum (and they seriously are...)

1. Rude Health 'the ultimate' Muesli 

This particular muesli created quite a bit of hype some 24 months ago - It seemed to be in every magazine and newspaper as the 'thing' to be eating. All health conscious celebrities were ditching their egg-white omelets in favour of this concoction which contains everything from the fashionable goji berry to protein rich quinoa flakes. As it proudly states on the box, this organic, wheat-free muesli has no less than 23 ingredients so it doesn't come cheap - each 500g box is around £5.49. 


Thinking about it though, I would think nothing of spending that amount on a new beauty product. I reckon if I read what this muesli could offer on the packaging of a new cream I would jump at the chance to try it. I wonder if it might look something like this:

• Helps skin look youthful (Vitamin E in nuts & seeds)
• Promotes strong hair and nails (trace mineral silica via oats)
• Protects skin against damaging ultraviolet radiation (sunflower seeds)
• Anti-oxidant rich cranberries 
• Sun damage protection (betacarotene in goji berries)
• Immune-boosting blueberries 

Oh, one last thing on Rude Health's Ultimate Muesli -did I mention that it just tastes so good? I like to have mine with natural yogurt and fresh fruit.

Just a little snacklet after a workout...

2. M&S Orange and Carrot Juice

 

 

Fresh from the Fridge...

This is a new juice from good old Marks and Spencer. Two of your 'five a day' in a handy sized bottle. Tangy and refreshing, simple ingredients with nothing extra added. What more can I say? 

3. BEAR Granola Nibbles 

Ingredients: whole grain oats & maize
baked apples pieces (9%)
coconut
cinnamon
apple, grape and carob extract
absolutely nothing else.

Sometimes when I hear the word 'granola' I think of heavily laden sugary cereals - yes super tasty - but not all that good for you. Well bring on BEAR! I discovered these little beauties pretty much as soon as they came onto the UK market and I absolutely love them. Firstly, let me explain. These 30g bags of pure pleasure are not marketed as cereal. They aren't specifically meant to be eaten for breakfast (although I'm sure you could and I do sometimes when I am in a mad rush and need to sling something in my bag).They're meant as an uber healthy snack and come in three flavours; Apple crumble (huge thumbs up), tropical crunch and cocoa cherry pie. 

It's kind of like you're being a bit naughty eating these crunchy clusters but really there's nothing to fear! BEAR's nibbles are made from 100% whole grains (oats and maize) and fruit (i.e. baked apple pieces in the apple crumble flavour). Only 98 calories a bag and one of your 'three a day' - win, win, win. They are extra yummy sprinkled on yoghurt with banana or icecream for an extra special treat.

I hope you've enjoyed this post - feel free to comment below :)