FRIDAY FAVOURITES

TGIF! That is all I can say! Since Wednesday I have been waking up thinking it’s Saturday, such a horrible feeling. My body must be needing some rest and relaxation, which I am definitely up for. My lovely Sister is coming over this weekend and I’m hoping the sun carries on shining so we can go on a bike ride with Daisy in her basket.

Anyway, back to business. Please see below some of my favourite finds from over the last week.

Favourite Look – I will definitely be channeling this look when the weather starts getting a little cooler in a couple of months

 

Favourite Treat – Homemade Lavender Ice Cream (Click on the picture for the recipe)

 

Favourite View – I am transported into a daydream every time I look at this photo.

 

Favourite Wedding Decoration – This table centrepiece is so simple and pretty, perfect for a rustic country wedding.

 

Favourite Salad – Tomatoes, chorizo and red onion, refreshing, simple and delicious. (Click on the picture for the recipe)

 

Favourite Door – Isn’t this door just beautiful, the way the light picks up all the different colours in the glass is captivating.

 

Favourite Smile – I can’t stop looking at this adorable picture, how cute is this little kitten?

Hope you enjoyed the favourites and you all have a lovely weekend!

HEALTHY SNACKING

I’ve mentioned before that I am a snacker, a nibbler and a picker and I just can’t seem to help it. It’s not a totally bad thing that I pick as the experts say you should eat more regularly to maintain your metabolism and to stop you overeating with your main meals, although I would prefer not to pick at all in an ideal world.

A lot of the time I think it’s becuase I’m not satisfied by lunch or that I’m bored but even though I have this awful habit I try to make the most of it and eat as much healthy as I can. Saying this no matter how many pieces of fruit or vegetable crudities with humus I eat, I crave more variety and then tend to head for the chocolate which isn’t the best for the waistline. I do hope I’m not the only one who has this problem?!

I have been on the hunt for healthy yet appetising snacks which would be perfect for a mid-morning or the afternoon slump.

Oatcakes with Extra Low Fat Cream Cheese and Grapes. The oatcakes could be substituted for ryvita or the cream cheese for cottage cheese depending on what you prefer.

Apple and Peanut Butter. Slice the apple and very thinly spread the peanut butter on, almond butter is another tasty alternative.

Raspberries with Dark Chocolate Chips. Place a few chocolate chips inside delicious fresh raspberries for healthy treat which allows you to get a quick chocolate fix.

Baked Courgette Chips. These are a super alternative to potato crisps but any root vegetable could be used for example carrot, parsnip and sweet potato.

FRIDAY FAVOURITES

Happy Friday! What a long week, where has the sun gone?? Just looked at the forecast for the weekend and more rain is predicted.

It was the longest day of the year on Wednesday, so from now every night will be getting a little darker, well a minute a day. I just hope we do get better weather so we can enjoy the lovely long evenings, there is still hope for July and August yet!

Below are some of my favourite finds from the last week. Enjoy!

FAVOURITE NAILS

 

FAVOURITE QUOTE

 

FAVOURITE INDULGENCE

Snickers Brownie – Wow, looks like a calorie overload, but oh so tasty!         

(Click on the photo for recipe)     

 

FAVOURITE CRAFT IDEA

Home made gold tube bracelets

(Click on the photo for how to instructions)

 

FAVOURITE PLACE

Senegal’s Lake Retba is pinker than any milkshake. Experts say the lake gives off its pink hue due to cyanobacteria, a harmless halophilic bacteria found in the water. Lake Retba has a high salt content, much like that of the Dead Sea, allowing people to float effortlessly in the massive pink water.

 

FAVOURITE SMILE

Whatever your plans, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and stay dry!

STRAWBERRY AND BANANA OATMEAL SMOOTHIE

Following on from my last breakfast post featuring overnight no-cook refrigerator oatmeal I have discovered a strawberry and banana oatmeal smoothie and it’s delicious. For a couple of weeks I alternated between the refrigerator oatmeal and smoothie and everyday was satisfied until lunchtime, for me this is perfect as I always tend to get the mid morning hunger attacks.

I’m sure you could do many variations on the smoothie, different flavours etc, I have yet to experiment but am quite happy with the banana and strawberry. As per the refrigerator oatmeal you can make this a few days in advance and even freeze them, perfect if you know you have a busy week ahead. One serving is about 270 calories, (although this is not exact) which makes it a delicious, healthy start to the day.

 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup uncooked oats
• 3/4 cup skimmed milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup low-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt recommended)
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped banana
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 teaspoons honey, optional

Directions

 

Add oats to blender; blend on high until texture of flour. Add milk & juice to blender; use spoon or spatula to stir in oats from bottom. Add yogurt. Add strawberries and bananas. Blend on high until desired smoothness. Taste and add sweetener, if needed. Blend again. Transfer to jar or container; refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours, so oats can soften. Will keep in refrigerator 2-3 days. Shake before drinking.

 

• IF TOO THICK after the fridge soak, add more juice or milk and shake jar/container or return to blender to combine.

• FOR A SMOOTHER CONSISTENCY, return to blender after the fridge soak and blend again.

• TO FREEZE: May be frozen after the 4 hour soak in the fridge. Freezing will stop the bananas from browning in the smoothie. To thaw, move to fridge a day ahead so it is thawed for drinking the next day. For faster thaw, place frozen jar/container in bowl of cold water on the counter for 1-2 hours. Shake before drinking.

 

I have also found two more breakfast recipes which I am going to try over the next couple of weeks and have posted them below. Both look and sound a little strange if I’m honest but they have got good reviews so I think it’s worth a try. I’m always on the hunt for new breakfast ideas which stop the repetition of the usual Special K or muesli, which lets be honest is slightly boring and I don’t find particularly filling.

 

 

Breakfast Quinoa (Click picture for recipe)

 

 

 

Breakfast Cookie (Click on the picture for recipe)

 

 

Hope you enjoy this post, if you try any of these let me know your thoughts and if you have any breakfast recommendations, let me know!

 

FRIDAY FAVOURITES

YIPPETY WOOOOO! It’s Friday, hope you have all had a great week. Take a look below at a few of my favourite finds from over the past week. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Favourite Daydream

Oh to be sitting on the beach with sand between my toes and being warmed by the sun, mmmm…….

 

Favourite Treat

Banana Pops

 

Favourite Indulgence

Just close your eyes for a minute and imagine eating chocolate bread with melted Lindor truffles within it, topped with peanut butter frosting. Oh my, pure indulgence, my mouth is watering at the thought. (Click on the photo for the recipe)

 

Favourite Craft Idea

Paint dipped tins in gorgeous pastel colours, perfect for a quick and cheap storage solution.

 

Favourite Cake

 

Favourite Smile

 

Favourite Last Minute Present Idea

Don’t forget to show you all those Dad’s out there some extra special love this Sunday for Father’s Day. If you want to give a little something why not make your own BBQ sauce with a personalised touch. What Dad doesn’t like standing by a flaming BBQ cooking meat? (Click on the photo for a BBQ sauce recipe)