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I started the day with just under an hour of squats, lunges, bicep curls and star jumps courtesy of my bottom and top fit DVD workouts from Davina. I’m actually starting to enjoy the bottom fit workout after three weeks of doing it, I still get DOMS after it too!

Breakfast was a bowl of this Power Porridge (another item I’ve been sent to review on behalf of the lovely Neen while she’s in full wedding mode)

I used half a cup of this mix which along with oats contains various other grains and seeds, with 1 cup of water and cooked it on the stove top adding frozen blueberries, vanilla sun warrior protein powder and a splash of kara coconut milk. For toppings I went with mixed seeds, goji berries and some coconut.

Such a delicious mix! The porridge tasted good too, without all the add ins it would definitely have required some sweetening up though.

Lunch was a really super salad. I had downloaded a random app for my phone the other day called Vegan 21 Day Kickstart that include a recipe for a Confetti Quinoa Salad and knew I had to come up with a similar version!

Laura’s Confetti Quinoa Salad (makes 2 large servings):

• 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups of vegetable stock
• 1/2 red cabbage
• 6 spring onions
• 1 large carrot
• 1 red pepper
• fresh parsley
• 4 dried apricots (I used some un sulphured apricots)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• Lettuce leaves to serve (I used little gem)

Simmer the quinoa in the veg stock until all the stock has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Leave the quinoa to cool. Finely chop all the veggies, the parsley and the apricots and mix together with the cooled quinoa. To make the dressing mix the oil and vinegar together in a screw top jar, shake to combine, then pour over the quinoa and mix through. Serve the quinoa on top of some green leaves and enjoy!

 

This was a seriously good salad! Extra filling and really tasty – all of the ingredients go together so well and the addition of the apricots adds a hint of sweetness that is delicious. I also enjoyed a couple of un pictured satsumas.

Mid afternoon I snacked on a little tub of mixed dried fruit and nuts from the luxury fruit and nut bag I’d bought at Tesco a couple of weeks ago.

Last night I had decided to use up some tofu for tonight's dinner. I drained the tofu and wrapped it in kitchen roll then pressed it to remove some excess water. I then left it to marinade in a mix inspired by my Fresh Asian Salad and the following recipe was born!

Sweet Ginger Sesame Tofu Stir Fry (stated portions make 1 large serving)

• 1/2 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed

Tofu marinade:

• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
• 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger minced (or 1 teaspoon of minced ginger from a tube)

For the stir fry:

Selection of veggies of your choice. I used:

• diakon / mooli root
• cauliflower
• leek
• mushroom
• savoy cabbage
• red cabbage

To serve:

• 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, lightly toasted
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
• 1/4 inch piece of minced ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon of the lazy kind)

Cube the tofu and marinade in the soy, sesame oil, sweet chilli and ginger for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Begin by lightly toasting your sesame seeds in a dry pan until they are slightly browned. Set to one side. Then stir fry the tofu, reserving any marinade, on a high heat in a little oil (I used my favourite coconut oil). Once the tofu is nicely browned set to one side. Chop and shred the veggies as desired and stir fry until tender. Add the tofu back to the pan followed by any remaining marinade and the additional soy, sweet chilli and ginger. Transfer to a plate and top with the toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy!

 

Desert was two organic apples chopped, microwaved for a couple of minutes then topped with one of my pumpkin spice cake bars and some cinnamon.

Yum!

Today I emailed everyone taking part in Secret Santa so check your inboxes!

I’ve decided to keep the boots I got yesterday, I wore them for work today and I really like them, I enjoy the extra height, loving that wedge heel!

I also discovered the Forever 21 UK website today. The prices look pretty reasonable and I love some of the pieces especially these:

Wrap Dress (£24.80)

 

Polka Dot Dress (£21.80)

Cable Knit Sweater (£15.80)

I’m in need of a simple party dress as I like to add some of my vast collection of sparkly accessories to more simple clothing over for Christmas style. I’m also in serious need of some more knit wear. I’m really feeling the cold temperatures at the moment and need extra layers – a chunky knit would be perfect over some slim trousers with my new boots!

What clothes are you in need of (or want of!) at the moment? Has anyone bought anything from Forever 21?