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I don’t know what the weathers been like today where you are but for us in North East England its been gorgeous! I actually drove home from work with no coat on, the window down and my sunglasses on, I can’t wait for spring to settle in properly. This month has been great, which considering that its one of my least favourite months is saying something! It started out with me colouring my hair red…

…we had a fantastic holiday to Brighton…

…where I enjoyed lots of amazing food…

…and bought lots of lovely things…

…and has ended with me enjoying my yoga…

…and pondering the meaning of life ;-)

Those deep thoughts really impacted on my goals for the month. I had been hoping to do some work in the allotment but facing up to the fact that I’m in danger of spreading myself too thin I’ve decided to let the allotment go. I did manage to achieve most of my other goals including registering with the Federation of Holistic Therapists and gaining weight as I talked about in this post. I had been aiming for 5lbs and I’ve managed 4lbs – Brighton eats had a lot to do with that!

I’m feeling in a pretty great place right now. I had been consistently overeating on an evening which was making me feel less than great but I’ve managed to reduce that over the last couple of weeks to just Friday evening snackies. I’m also starting to accept my bigger curvier body (James loves it!) and relax into a new workout routine with a lot less cardio. Now I just can not wait for the spring!

Goals for March

source

• Get booked in for my first tattoo session
• Experiment with more yoga at home using you tube and other online resources 
• Do my market research for my business plan and arrange another business meeting with one of my contacts
• Keep to my new stricter budget
• Spring clean the flat and have a de clutter
• Start doing planks again as part of my workouts

I really can’t wait to get sorted out for having my tattoo work done! I’m also looking forward to doing my yoga at home to complement my classes to provide me with a bit of a more challenging workout, and I also want to start doing planks again. I had got my plank hold time up to 2min 30 secs before Christmas and I need to start doing them again as they are so good for your core. I also have aims I want to achieve for my business ideas. I’m not going to do another Big Budget Challenge – in some ways that was the financial equivalent of a crash diet – this time the changes have to stick! I think I may do a little mini blog series looking at how you can do things on the cheap so hopefully that will be useful for others too!  I also have some potentially huge changes for me that could happen towards the end of the month if things work out so watch this space!

How was February for you? What are you looking forward to this March? Is it feeling spring like where you are?

Wedding anniversaries, birthdays, remembering the day you first did something special… these anniversaries are annual reminders of special dates, cherished memories, or proud accomplishments.

However, for people with cancer, there are dates they might want to forget-getting a diagnosis, experiencing a first treatment, or getting bad news.

In this blog, Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, discusses her own “cancerversary” and how she faces the annual reminder of her cancer diagnosis.

How do you cope with your own cancerversary?

Read more about Carolyn and her story here.

This blog post was written by the Colon Cancer Alliance. The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a community that provides hope and support to patients and their families, while saving lives through screening, access, awareness, advocacy and research.

Why should you wear blue? That’s the question the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) wants communities, businesses and individuals across the country (and even the world) to answer during its 5th annual Dress in Blue Day™ program on Friday, March 1st.

The CCA’s National Dress in Blue Day takes place every year on the first Friday in March as the official kickoff to National Colorectal Cancer Month. The program promotes awareness of colon cancer, encourages people to get their colon checked and ultimately, is working to put an end to this often preventable disease. On this special day, thousands of people throughout the United States will be showing their support by dressing in blue and talking to people about colon cancer and screening.
“Support for Dress in Blue Day has grown tremendously since we took this program to the national level in 2009,” said Andrew Spiegel, CEO of the CCA. “Each year, we are inspired to hear about more and more communities, individuals and businesses who are taking great strides to support Dress in Blue Day. Our goal is to have the entire country going blue so everyone knows that this a cancer they can do something about – whether it’s by wearing blue, holding an event or taking charge of their health by talking to their doctor.”

Facts About Colon Cancer

Currently, colon cancer affects 1 in 20 people.

More than 143,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 51,690 people will lose their battle with the disease.

But there is good news: Colon cancer is often beatable when detected and treated in its early stages or can be prevented altogether when polyps are removed before they develop into cancer. Dress in Blue Day works to make sure everyone knows this – encouraging local communities, businesses and the general public to support awareness of colon cancer by dressing in blue and hosting educational events.

For more information about Dress in Blue Day and to access these free resources, visit www.dressinblueday.com. And this March, help us spread colon cancer awareness – it could save someone’s life!

Register for the 2013 CANPrevent Colorectal Cancer Conference

The CANPrevent Colorectal Cancer Conference is free and open to the public. Come and learn the latest information on colorectal screening and managing the genetic risk for you and your family. Gain knowledge and take action by getting important information from our experts. Breakfast will be provided.

Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 7:30 am to 10:30 am
Location: Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA

Register for this free event here.

Register for the 2013 Focus on Colorectal Cancer Conference

TheFocus On Colorectal Cancer conference dedicated to colorectal cancer education. Come and learn the latest information on colorectal screening and managing the genetic risk for you and your family. Gain knowledge and take action by getting important information from our experts. Breakfast will be provided.

Date: Friday, March 22
Time: 7:30 am to 2 pm
Location: Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA

Register for this free event here.

 

An epic event, an unparalleled opportunity to cure cancer

Join Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) on October 11 to 12, 2014 in the Ride to Conquer Cancer© (RTCC)—an unforgettable and epic bike ride through Pennsylvania’s picturesque scenery -towards one life-changing destination: to cure cancer.

At two-days and 150+ miles the RTCC will be a physical challenge—and an emotional and inspirational weekend—that will give you a chance to join forces with our physicians, patients, and families to leave everything on the bike course and raise serious funds and awareness in the ACC’s fight to cure cancer.

The funds raised through the ride will be put to use immediately, powering our vision to eradicate cancer as a cause of human disease and suffering through precision medicine, novel research, next-generation therapies, and compassionate care.

Join riders like Susan Ranck, who shared her personal motivation for participating, saying:

“I am beyond grateful that funding from research enabled scientists to discover a drug that enables me to at least control my cancer...I am excited to ride and it’s my hope that with more time and money, the researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center will find a cure for my disease and all forms of cancer.”

Your participation is essential!

JOIN TODAY!

This event will be remarkable and will bring together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists, and their supporters with a common goal to conquer this disease. We invite everyone to join us in October by registering today at www.ridetovictory.org or by calling (844) 777-7433.

Register before March 7, 2014 using the discount code 2014RIDE to sign up for only $25.

Remember, it's not just for avid cyclists, it's for all of us who want to do something big! I encourage you to share this opportunity with all of your friends and family. We're in this together.

Before the ride, you will have access to:

• Expert coaching
• Training rides in your area
• Personal webpage for fundraising
• Helpful manual
• 2014 ride commemorative item

During the ride, participants will have access to:

• Event-day ride jersey
• Support along the route
• Catered meals
• Entertainment at camp
• Massage and medical care

A few months ago I was pottering about on Tumblr when I came across a fantastic blog called Hipster Food (if your vegan you must check it out!) They had posted about a mixture of cooked lentils, oats and other ingredients that could be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge to be used in various meals throughout the week. I thought this was a brilliant idea and booked marked the details in my Evernote. I’ve always been a fan of cooking up big batches of food at the weekend to eat through the week to save time and this was right up my street. I’ve called this recipe Magic Mixture because it really does have so many uses and can be the base for lots of different flavour combinations.

The Magic Mixture Basic formula (adapted from idea on Hipster Food, vegan, makes about 5 cups):

• 4 cups of cooked beans mashed or blended (with a little water if needed – this would be about 2 tins if not cooking from scratch)
• 1 cup of ground oats
• 1/2 cup of ground nuts (raw or roasted depending on your preference)
• 2 tbsp of ground flax
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce
• 2 tbsp of oil of choice
• Seasonings of choice
• Fresh herbs (optional)

I decided to go with a bit of an Italian pesto flavour. This is what I used for this batch:

• 4 cups of cooked red lentils (2 cups dry lentils cooked in 4 cups of water – as red lentils breakdown in cooking I didn’t blend)
• 1 cup of ground oats (just regular oats processed)
• 1/2 cup of ground pine nuts
• 2 tbsp of ground flax
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce
• 2 tbsp of hemp oil
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp of garlic powder
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• fresh basil

I started by grinding the oats and nuts in my food processor and setting aside while the lentils cooked…

…once the lentils had cooked and become quite thick I added them to a big bowl along with the oats and pine nuts…

…then I mixed together with all the other ingredients…

…added some chopped basil…

…and left to cool before refrigerating…

Once it has cooled you can keep it in the fridge all week and use it however you like! It firms up quite a bit as well. Here’s a few ideas for how you could use it:

• As a sandwich spread
• Wrap filling
• Baked or fried into a lentil / bean burger
• Baked or fried into ‘meat balls’ for pasta
• Baked into ‘falafel’ and stuffed into a pitta bread
• Crumbled into a salad
• As a topping for a baked potato
• As a dip for veggies
• Spread on crackers as a pate
• Transferred into a loaf pan and baked

I think I’m going to get 5 – 6 meals out of this mix. So far I’ve eaten it warmed up and piled on top of a baked sweet potato accompanied by roast asparagus:

As a pate spread on raw crackers, as pictured at the top of the post. I also baked some of it into balls (200c for 30 minutes) and served them on top of some salad for lunches:

This really is quite delicious, the mix of ingredients and flavours I used for this batch go together brilliantly!

The great thing about this recipe is that you can really play around with the flavours and ingredients. How about using nut butter to replace the ground nuts and oil? Or using chickpeas and adding ground cumin and coriander for a different twist? It is also very very cheap – beans and lentils are super affordable and if your looking for a cheap nut then I would try sunflower seeds or peanut butter, yum!

How would you enjoy the Magic Mixture?

February is Cancer Prevention Awareness Month. Here at the Abramson Cancer Center, we are committed to providing outstanding comprehensive cancer care and cancer information including ways to prevent cancer. Further, cancer researchers at Penn are at the forefront of learning new ways to prevent and detect cancer.

In this article, dietitian Carly Roop, RD, discusses foods that can lower your risk of lung cancer. Carly is a registered dietitian at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center (JKCC). She provides nutrition education and support to patients while addressing nutrition-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Dietitians at JKCC provide educational nutrition programs that are open to patients as well as the community.

What is the healthiest thing to eat when trying to prevent lung cancer?

When thinking about cancer prevention, many people want to know, "What is the healthiest thing to eat?" 

The American Institute of Cancer Research found compelling evidence that a diet high in fruit can lower lung cancer risk as much as 36% of those U.S. lung cancer cases not caused by tobacco. The AICR recommends eating at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day!

This may seem hard to do, but the AICR makes it easy by suggesting you rethink your plate.

As a dietitian, my mantra is food first; there is convincing evidence that high-dose supplements of beta-carotene can actually increase lung cancer risk. Therefore, it is better to get your beta-carotene from vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato.

In the food form, the phytochemical beta-carotene neutralizes free radicals, which may damage cells. The anti-cancer compounds found in cabbage and kale such as indole-3-carbinoles and isothiocyanates have also been linked to a lower incidence of lung cancer.

Sauerkraut anyone?

Hi folks, hope your enjoying a blissful weekend! So far mine has been a good one indeed. There has been coffee…

…and an outdoor run and get this, with James! He decided to come out with me this morning and run a couple of loops around the block. Why is it that some one that doesn’t do a lot of exercise other than walking can run way faster than me? Damn those long legs of his ;-) He’s definitely a born sprinter. He hasn’t ran with me in the past as he has problems with his knees but we are thinking if he builds up slowly he might be ok. I continued on after that and did perhaps 3.5 – 4.5 miles – not sure what time as I was sans Garmin but it was just good to be running outside! Afterwards I came home and did this 30 minute yoga power flow from You Tube, so many chaturangas!

I have to say I feel like I’ve out done myself this weekend with the eats, I’ve made some delicious stuff! It all started on Friday evening when I made a Thai Green Soya Bean Noodle Bowl. I’ve made this a couple of times over the last few months and it is quickly becoming my favourite meal! I though it was about time I shared the recipe properly:

Thai Green Soya Bean Noodle Bowl (vegan, serves 1 hungry person or 2 normal people ;-)

• 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste (I use Thai Taste which is vegan)
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
• Approx 150ml coconut milk – I used full fat but light would be fine too
• Clearspring Soya Sauce Ramen Noodles – 1 pack of noodles and soya sauce pack (or use pre cooked or other noodles of choice and soy sauce)
• 1/2 cup frozen soya beans, thawed
• 1 cup roast squash (I use Kabocha but butternut would be equally as good)
• 1 heaping cup shredded spring greens

In a big wok or frying pan, gently fry off the ginger and curry paste in a little oil (I used coconut oil) over a medium heat. Once the paste has become fragrant (about 2 minutes) add the coconut milk and stir to combine. Add your noodles to the pan (if your using the ramen noodles or other dried noodles) and add some hot water from the kettle – just enough to cover the noodles, and simmer until the noodles are cooked. Add the sachet of soya sauce from the ramen noodle pack (or add a tbsp of soy sauce) and stir before adding the soya beans. Add your squash (and noodles if using pre cooked ones) and then pile the shredded greens on top. Allow the greens to wilt a bit in the heat then stir them into the broth which should be fairly thick. Once the greens are tender serve in a large bowl or ladle out into two regular size bowls:

Seriously this is so so good, in fact it could be a contender for my favourite meal ever especially when made with the full fat coconut milk. Its also very quick to make if you have the squash roasted and ready to go and you could probably just add the beans frozen straight into the pan and just simmer a little longer. Absolutely delish!

For breakfast yesterday I decided to make use of the coconut milk leftover from the noodle bowl by following this method for making acai cultured coconut yoghurt! I had a sample of acai powder from an iHerb order so thought I would give it ago after making my own very simple coconut yoghurt a couple of weeks ago (just by refrigerating full fat coconut milk). I had some with blueberries, buckwheaties, pecans and maple syrup:

It was wonderful! I think if I made this again I would leave it out of the fridge somewhere warm overnight so it would ferment a bit more to develop more yoghurt like tang.

Lunch yesterday was a simple but really nice salad with spinach, romaine, red pepper, roast kabocha a sprinkle of fresh parsley and some tahini dressing:

I made the dressing really quickly in a jar by mixing tahini with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sweet white miso and water so I have enough for a few meals. I added some to another special meal I made this weekend, raw curried cauliflower with herbed socca and roast purple sprouting broccoli:

I’d been wanting to try the raw cauliflower ever since I saw this recipe on Some Like It Raw and it didn’t disappoint! I made a few amendments adding some coconut and a few chopped dried unsulphured apricots to the mix instead of the honey. For the spices I used turmeric, garam masala and cumin. It was well nice, and the socca turned out brilliantly too, especially dipped in that tahini dressing :-)

Other snackies include:

Raw snack plate with persimmons, apples, raw chocolate covered raisins and raw granola pieces

Blueberries, apple, peanut flour sauce, chopped dark chocolate buttons

Veggies, blue corn chips and sunflower butter and miso dipping sauce (the chips dipped in the sauce, so good!)

Of course there has also been green juices and green smoothies consumed too! Yesterday we took a quick trip into town to pick up a couple of things:

Feeling the pink, OOTD (haha caught a bit off guard!) leather look hooded jacket: Topshop, pink jersey wrap around scarf: Topshop, floral blouse: Oasis, coral Cambridge style satchel: H&M, gold chunky ring: Topshop, skinny ‘Baxter’ jeans: Topshop, biker style boots: Oasis

After town I called into a tattooist to discuss my ideas for my tattoo! Getting a half sleeve tattoo is on my wish list for 2012 and I want to make sure I have it done well before the summer as I want to show it off! I have another appointment to go in next weekend and finalise my design and arrange a date for my first sitting. Excited would be an understatement! Other than that I’ve been cooking up stuff again (including a great recipe I’ll share tomorrow), watching Family Guy Star Wars, painting my toe nails pink and reading Eat Pray Love. Good times!

How has your weekend been? What would you say is your current favourite meal? My favourite foods tend to change depending on the season and that Thai Green Curry is just everything I want in a meal right now!

Jeffery Drebin, MD

On Wednesday, February 27, from 4 to 6 pm, Penn Medicine's pancreatic cancer experts will be answering your questions about pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer treatment and research.

Submit your questions to Penn Medicine's James Metz, assistant professor of radiation oncology, and Jeffery Drebin, the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery, and chairman of surgery at Penn.

They will be conducting an online video chat this Wednesday, 2/27 from 4 to 6 pm to answer your questions about pancreatic cancer treatment.

James Metz, MD

Submit your questions about pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer treatment here. 

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is cancer that develops within the pancreas, the gland about six inches long that is responsible for making hormones, including the enzymes responsible for the digestion of food and control of blood sugar.

Pancreatic cancer develops when cells within the pancreas begin to grow out of control. It may spread, or metastasize, to nearby lymph nodes and organs such as the liver and lungs.

As the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most deadly forms of cancer. More than 90 percent of patients die within the first year of diagnosis. Recent advancements have had little impact, and a new approach is desperately needed.

About Pancreatic Cancer Treatment at Penn Medicine

At Penn Medicine, patients with pancreatic cancer receive their care from a multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized experts in the diagnosis, treatment and research of gastrointestinal cancer.

Penn Medicine's multidisciplinary approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment provides better outcomes and gives patients access to the most advanced treatment, surgical techniques and clinical trials.

The Stand Up to Cancer Dream Team at Penn is actively researching better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer. Together, members of the Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team are working to translate scientific breakthroughs into new treatment options faster than ever before. Their research focuses on developing tests using advanced imaging technology to understand pancreatic cancer cells and developing new, personalized pancreatic cancer treatments based on their research.

Learn more about pancreatic cancer treatment at Penn.

Hi everyone, hope your having a great Saturday! Just a quick post with the winner of my House Plant GIVEAWAY:

The winner is Katy Aubery! Please email me at laura@keepinghealthygettingstylish with your address and I’ll get your plant sent out!

Are you looking to promote your healthy living or fashion blog or brand? Sponsor Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish this March!

Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish is an up and coming healthy living blog that has recently been featured on the Channel 4 Food website and Channel 4 Beauty Website and has been ranked as one of the Top 10 Health Blogs in the UK by Cisson PR.

I am interested in supporting other healthy living and style bloggers, Etsy businesses and small ethical brands whose ethos are in line with my own. All income generated via sponsorship opportunities are reinvested in making Keeping Healthy Getting Stylisheven bigger and better!

The blog attracts a variety of readers interested in healthy living, vegetarianism, fashion and style. Sponsorship of Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish is a great way to promote your blog and attract new readers, your Etsy business or your healthy living brand.

Existing sponsors have confirmed that sponsorship has helped them to attract new readers and customers.

Sponsorship is available on a monthly basis and involves a 200x150 pixel ad for your blog or business with embedded link placed on the blog.

For blogs or Etsy businesses I offer an introductory offer of just £5 a month, for all other companies and brands £10 a month or a £10 discount on your products alongside a range of products for use in a monthly sponsorship giveaway competition.

Don't worry if you don't have a blog button, I can design you a tailor made blog button for just £5! That’s just £10 for a month sponsorship and a tailor made blog button!

If you are interested please email me laura@keepinghealthygettingstylish.com thanks!

Some risk factors for cancer are modifiable, meaning they are things you can change. Modifiable risks for cancer include smoking and using tobacco products, being obese or overweight, not eating a healthy diet or using a tanning bed.

Some risk factors for cancer you cannot change, such as your family history; these are called unmodifiable risk factors. Some risk factors increase the likelihood of one type of cancer, while others can increase the risk of several types.

A tool like Oncolink’s “What’s My Risk” is designed to identify your personal risk factors, both modifiable and unmodifiable, and help you focus on those you can change, providing resources and tips to make those changes.

Lifestyle Changes that Decrease Cancer Risk

Regardless of your personal risk, age, gender and race, there are some modifiable risks - risks that increase as a result of lifestyle - you can change or modify today to help prevent cancer.

• Stop smoking or use tobacco. Need help quitting? Learn about Penn Medicine's Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program.
• Use sunscreen. Stay sun safe with these tips.
• Do not use tanning booths.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity has been linked to an increased risk for cancer.
• Do not drink alcohol, or limit alcohol use.
• Limit sexual partners. The sexually transmitted disease, HPV, has been shown to increase risk for head and neck cancer, as well as cervical cancer.  

February is Cancer Prevention Month, and this month we are featuring blogs all about cancer prevention. "Like" the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania on Facebook to get cancer prevention tips, cancer education and cancer research news throughout the whole year.

I’ve had a fun and busy week including a really positive business meeting, a great yoga class, a very exciting tap installation (sounds random but more explanation on that to come!) and getting my application to register with the Federation of Holistic Therapists sent off. I love feeling productive!

I’ve had some super eats this week so I’m just going to give you a photo dump of them all:

Carob, coconut and raspberry ‘ice cream’ topped with tofu cream and cacao nibs and coconut, delish!

Salad beast with black beans and avocado

For breakfast on Shrove Tuesday: Chocolate protein pancakes (made with spelt flour, chocolate hemp powder and kara coconut milk) topped with chopped pears and chocolate hazelnut butter sauce, mmm!

Post yoga smoothie of Spiru-tein chocolate chip cookie dough flavour topped with cacao nibs (not totally crazy about this new to me flavour, just tastes like vanilla!)

Chocolate pear and ginger green smoothie with spring greens, 2 pears, chocolate sun warrior protein powder, raw cacao powder, maca, ground flax, fresh ginger root, water and ice topped with more pear and raw granola

Badly handmade nori rolls with leftover cooked brown rice, avocado, carrot and cucumber – tasted great though!

Grilled smoked sesame tofu with brown rice, stir fried broccoli and brussel sprouts and peanut sauce

Montezuma Dark Chocolate turtles (so cute!) with chopped apples

 Honey and hemp muffin from the freezer with 2 chopped pears and a sachet of Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter for spreading, yum!

Persimmon slices topped with coconut butter and goji berries

Green smoothie with spinach, frozen mango, vanilla sun warrior protein powder, maca, ground flax, water and ice topped with popped amaranth, cashews and flame raisins

So quite a varied and delicious week!

I’ve also had a pretty varied workout out week including finally finding a half decent yoga class!

• Sunday – AM gym workout – 5k treadmill run, 15 min random bike, Kettlebell class
• Monday – AM Yoga podcast, PM DVD mash up
• Tuesday – PM Yoga class
• Wednesday – AM 5 min cross trainer warm up, strength workout B from Base phase of Female Body Breakthrough, 10 min HIIT step machine, 10 min HIIT bike
• Thursday – PM Yoga class
• Friday – AM 5 min cross trainer warm up, strength workout A from Base phase of Female Body Breakthrough, 10 min HIIT step machine, 10 min HIIT bike

I went to a new yoga class on Tuesday night at my local community centre and I loved it! Its still not a fast flowing class but I really liked the teacher who does a mix of Ivengar and Ashtanga styles and the whole vibe of the class was really great. Although I didn’t get a major sweat on I got a really good stretch, my muscles could certainly feel it the day after! It was also really good to have a teacher adjusting my pose and explaining things in more detail, it made me realise that although DVD’s and podcasts are great there’s no substitute for attending a class. I find that a class improves my practice so that I get more out of the yoga I do at home. I also realised that my focus on finding a faster flowing sweaty class was a bit daft considering the whole reason I wanted to do more yoga was to relax and help firm up a bit! As this class is on the same night as Body Pump, I’m going to alternate classes every two weeks.

To end this post I’m taking inspiration from one of my fave bloggers – Bonzai Aphrodite (such a shame she’s stopped blogging) and doing a weekend send off love list!  

Loving my sexy new tap installed today complete with a built in Brita filter!

A little while ago I was contacted by Brita to see if I would like to trial one of their tap water filters. I’ll blog more about this in future but its brilliant! The actual tap is such an improvement on our last one and has really made the whole kitchen look more stylish. I’ve always used a jug Brita filter in the fridge but this is so much more convenient. Other things on my love list this week:

Pig tails (the only way I can tie all of my hair back without bits falling out) // yoga of course! // listening to ‘Some Body I Used To Know’ by Gotye on repeat // getting tickets for Kendal Calling (so excited!) // stripes and polka dots // not stuffing myself on an evening anymore // feeling full of gratitude

What have you been loving this week? If your a yoga fan what’s your thoughts on classes v’s DVD’s and podcasts? Hope you have a brilliant weekend!

You still have a few hours left to enter my house plant GIVEAWAY, check it out!

Happy Wednesday, hope your week is going fabulously! Ready for another veg packed WIAW? These are my eats and happenings from Monday, enjoy!

I’m kind of playing about with my workout schedule at the moment while I’m exploring the yoga class options in my area so instead of going to the gym first thing like I usually do I just got up and did a quick yoga podcast to start the week off right. I did a 20 minute detox challenge flow from Yoga Download which was a great way to start the day. After the usual warm water and lemon I made a very tasty breakfast:

I had some plain tofu cream leftover from making the Spicy Sweet Potato and Almond Butter Gratin (so glad you guys are loving that recipe!) so mixed it with a touch of stevia then combined with a small chopped apple, frozen blueberries, uncooked oats and topped with some bee pollen and pumpkin seeds. It tasted amazing, I am crazy about the multiple uses of silken tofu right now! I also enjoyed an amaretto coffee with kara coconut milk:

Mid morning at work I snacked on some sugar snap peas, sliced red peppers and raw maca dip:

I also had a mug of miso:

I used to drink miso all the time but had fallen out of the habit. On Monday I just fancied something savoury and that did the trick. For lunch I had leftover quinoa with chickpeas, cranberries and parsley on top of a big bowl of mixed salad greens and home sprouted alfalfa:

Mid afternoon I snacked on a couple of pink lady apples:

I can’t get enough of these at the moment!

I had been planning to try to get into the gym Monday night Body Pump class as I had decided to try a new yoga class which is held on a Tuesday evening when I would have went to my usual Body Pump class. Unfortunately the Monday night class had been fully booked and I was on the reserve list but instead of showing up and not getting a place I decided to go with the flow and head home for a DVD workout mash up!

I did 30 Day Shred Level 1, Davina Fit Top fit (minus the warm up and cool down) and half an hour of core conditioning Yogalates:

I’m very glad I have such a varied DVD collection, this was really good fun for a change!

For dinner I just kept it simple with some leftover lentil soup, organic blue corn chips and some steamed broccoli with soy sauce and nutritional yeast:

A bit later in the evening I decided to treat myself for dessert and raided the freezer for a slice of my raw salted caramel pecan cake:

I keep forgetting how truly delicious this is. It tastes so buttery it is amazing!

Before bed I had a mug of spicy liquorice and cinnamon tea:

As usual, throughout the day I drank several cups of green tea, green tea with chai and rooibos.

So most of my eats on Monday were made up of leftovers from the weekend re worked. I used to spend a lot of time making up single serving meals (as James usually eats differently to me) but now I make things with multiple portions and reuse the leftovers in different ways. I find that a grain and protein type meal like the quinoa and chickpeas can be made lunch friendly by throwing on top of salad greens. The leftover tofu cream was easily combined with the oats and fruit just like you would do yoghurt, but could have just as easily been mixed with nutritional yeast, garlic and lemon juice and used as a sauce for veggies. The soup was made into a more substantial meal by adding the blue corn chips and the big bowl of broccoli – I need my green veggies!

What’s your favourite way to re work leftovers?

Don’t forget to enter my lovely House Plant GIVEAWAY if you haven’t checked it out already!