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Well what a week it has been! I feel like I’ve made some big decisions and had some major changes of perspective this week.

source I like this quote, to me it translates that you have to invest something to get something back :-)

I have honestly not felt happier, like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and that the future is full of so many exciting things. On Monday I officially signed up with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to study to become a holistic health coach. It’s scary putting my hopes and dreams on the line, but incredibly exciting too!

This weeks workouts:

• Saturday – 3.5 mile run
• Sunday – REST
• Monday – Gym – this strength and HIIT workout but I increased all the upper body weights by 1kg same as last week and went a bit easier on the HIIT
• Tuesday – Body Pump class
• Wednesday – Hot Yoga class
• Thursday – Yoga class
• Friday – Gym – 10 min treadmill, 10 min bike, 10 min cross trainer, body weight circuit: incline push ups, tricep dips, squats, full sit ups x 20 reps each x 3 sets

This week I have been starting to relax my workouts. I have to say, not feeling like I ‘have to’ run is so freeing. Hot yoga was just brilliant again as this week I was joined by the lovely Nicky! We both did really well and managed head stands, which although we assisted each other in them, I think is a big achievement, especially for Nicky with it being her first ever class! I’ve actually had a fear of being in any position where my head is under my body since I was little – I think something might have happened when I was doing a forward roll? Anyway, even just trying it was a big deal for me, then last night in yoga I also almost managed plough pose, I’m on a roll! This mornings work out was nice and easy and fun, I just wanted to move my body so the cardio was very relaxed and the strength moves performed with body weight.

I’ve had some tasty meals this week too. Last Sunday I made a lush salad inspired by the Triple Berry Kale salad from How Sweet It Is:

I hadn’t had a raw kale salad in forever and this was divine! I made up more of the dressing from my cherry and brown rice salad and massaged the kale with it then left it to soften. Then I added freshly cooked chickpeas, beetroot, cherries and roast salted almonds. I used more of the dressing in a lentil salad for a nice simple work lunch:

For a nice quick dinner I nuked a sweet potato and served with spinach, hummus and half a large avocado:

Hummus and avocado is definitely on my favourites list at the moment, I’ve also been having it as a salad.

For breakfasts I’ve been enjoying the same green smoothie combo: spinach, 2 fresh peaches, 1/4 cup peanut flour, ice, water and stevia – it has a fantastic peanutty flavour. I’ve had it with strawberries, persimmon, soy yoghurt and granola…

…and alongside a slice of sticky sweet courgette pecan date bread:

I’ll be sharing that recipe soon, it is fabulous! Snacks wise I’ve enjoyed lots of fruit with nuts such as sliced persimmon and some of my raw ‘roasted’ almonds:

To make those almonds I just soak them for 4 hours, rinse and drain then mix them with some shoyu sauce and dehydrate until dried and crunchy. Love them! I’ve also been loving the roasted vanilla sunflower seed and cashew butter with sea salt I made at the weekend, here on top of a couple of squares of Lindt 90%:

It doesn’t get much better than that!

On the Love List this week…

The most comfortable pair of gym pants ever!

Last week I was sent a couple of pieces from Lovestretch to review, including these amazing Wellicous 3/4 exercise pants. I am in love! I will be doing a full review soon but I couldn’t wait to share how amazing these feel when they are on, I think they are almost too good for the gym! Oh and please excuse my stomach in that pic, I was just wanting to show the waist band detail. I almost cropped it out but you know what, I have no reason to, I’m proud of my body! I may not have visible abs but I’m happy with what I’ve got :-) Also…

Laura Bailey’s Topshop Edit – love pretty much everything in this collection! // being off work today to just chill // having a fridge full of fresh fruit and veg ready for the weekend // this brilliant way of making a to do list // watching Wimbledon // listening to the fundamental lectures with IIN and feeling inspired // the incredible support of my amazing blog readers :-)

In case you missed it:

• I posted a very honest blog about some of my health troubles and changes to my lifestyle
• I talked about June, my July goals and posted my June faves vlog
• I showed you how I make my perfect tofu

I also posted on the My Dairy Free Team blog – check out my post on making dairy free frappes and iced coffee!

What’s on your love list this week? Any exciting plans for the weekend?

Happy Friday, hope you are all doing well! I am so ready for the weekend right now, I think its just been one of those weeks and the bad weather we’ve been having has just made me want to hibernate! Still, there has been plenty of things to lift my mood including these lovelies:

Those would be my gorgeous Raw Nutella Brownie Bars and due to high demand here’s the recipe!

Raw Nutella Brownie Bars (adapted from CCK’s fudge babies and inspired by the Gourmet Raw Hazelnut Carob brownies, makes 5 large bars)

• 1/2 cup of hazelnuts
• 6 medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tbsp of raw cacao or regular cocoa powder
• pinch of sea salt
• Dried buckwheat as topping (optional)

Add the hazelnuts to a food processor and blend until well chopped. Add the dates, cocoa powder and salt and process until the mixture begins to clump together. Line a pan or lunch box with cling film and press the mixture down to line the container evenly. Sprinkle on the buckwheat if using and press down into the mix. Transfer to the fridge or freezer to cool and firm up before slicing into bars. Store in the fridge, or wrapped in foil in the freezer. These are so good and definitely have a healthy Nutella vibe going on!

As I’ve had a carton of Alpro Hazelnut milk on the go I’ve been enjoying more chocolate / hazelnut combos such as this chocolate hazelnut protein smoothie:

I also made a chia pudding with the milk to take to work as a snack:

Looks weird but was really delicious and exceptionally creamy!

Workouts this week have been pretty good again:

• Saturday – REST
• Sunday – Just under 9.5 mile run
• Monday – Hot Pilates class at Yogalilies
• Tuesday – Gym – 30 minutes cardio HIITs on the cross trainer, bike and step machine, Body Pump
• Wednesday – 4 mile run
• Thursday – AM Yoga for Runners podcast, half of Yoga for Detox podcast and foam rolling (working late so no regular Yoga class this week)
• Friday – last weeks strength workout but with a 10 minute treadmill speed run at the end instead of the step machine and a 5 minute session on the bike to cool down

As I mentioned in my WIAW post, on Monday I took a Hot Pilates class at the lovely Yogalilies studio in Newcastle.

The studio space is very chic

I’ve done a few Pilates DVD’s and you tube videos (Blogilates is a fave) in the past but I wasn’t sure what to expect. It wasn’t as hot as it has been for my hot yoga classes but it was pleasantly warm. The class itself was brilliant and I can’t praise Lissa the teacher enough. I think I found muscles I never knew I had! The way that Lissa described a lot of the muscle movements really helped me to engage my core properly – something that I don’t feel I managed when just following a DVD. I think it reinforced that although classes are the more expensive option, you do get so much more out of them than just following a video at home and there’s no reason why you can’t do a bit of both! Suffice to say I am hooked on Yogalilies! Once I have the Great North Run out of the way then I think I will be investing more of my time and money in taking classes there as I’m planning on getting much more into that form of exercise. Until then, its hot yoga every two weeks without a doubt! If you are local to Newcastle Upon Tyne I would highly recommend you check out the studio.

Other bits and pieces from this week include:

Delicious breakfasts, starting with my Strawberry and Peanut Butter Green Smoothie:

The final slice of my Banana Coconut Bread made with added chocolate chips from the freezer and eaten with blueberries, blackberries and soy yoghurt:

I am now on a mission to make that bread again, it is fabulous!

I made a random but tasty Buddha bowl for dinner on Wednesday evening:

This included chickpeas, quinoa, dried prunes, steamed greens, raw home sprouted alfalfa seeds and a yummy miso sauce on top. The leftover quinoa and miso sauce were mixed with some black beans and red onion and dumped on top of lettuce, spinach and more sprouts for lunch the next day:

Earlier in the week I had also made a delicious bowl of courgette ‘spaghetti’ topped with soy mince in a tomato sauce with basil and olives:

I love a good mix of raw and cooked foods in a meal like this, it was so satisfying!

On the Love List this week…

This morning I received this lovely parcel in the post from Hayley who blogs over at Oh my god is that from tiffany, she contacted me a little while ago after I commented on her blog –we have connected over stories of our engagements and thoughts on approaching 30! She’s living in Australia so has sent me some Australian goodies – Dark Chocolate Tim Tams, Paw Paw Ointment and a lovely body lotion. Thanks so much for your kindness Hayley! I can’t wait to get stuck into those Tim Tams and do a Tim Tam Slam! Also…

This article from The Guardian on why our food is making us fat – I really urge you to have a read, interesting and scary stuff! // foam rolling to ease my tight IT bands – going to blog more on this as a few people have asked what foam rolling is etc // The Festival Shop at Topshop for inspiration ready for Kendal Calling next month // treating myself to Yoga Magazine and Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Everyday Cookbook

I love finishing the week on a positive note with my love list :-) In case you missed it:

• Cherry and Almond Muffins Recipe
• Newly designed and organised About and Recipes pages!

How has your week been? Any plans for the weekend? I had been hoping to see the Olympic Torch Relay at the Angel of the North but if the weather stays as it is I think I’d rather be wrapped up at home drinking coffee and watching Chuck (James is obsessed with that show!)

What’s on your love list this week?

…are the two words that would best describe my week! The highlight has undoubtedly been my first hot yoga class at the wonderful Yogalilies:

I absolutely loved it! This is the kind of yoga that I adore, hot, sweaty and challenging yet relaxing at the same time. I really liked the feel of the studio which is located in the centre of Newcastle and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. The lovely Lissa has invited me to try one of her Pilates classes and I can’t wait! I will certainly be back for more of that yoga!

Other workouts from this week have been:

• Saturday – REST
• Sunday – 7.5 mile run
• Monday – AM 5 min cross trainer warm up, strength workout A from Fine Tune phase of Female Body Breakthrough – heavy weight / low rep, 10 min HIIT step machine, 10 min HIIT bike
• Tuesday – PM Gym: 20 minutes cardio on machines, Body Pump
• Wednesday – AM 3 mile run, PM Hot Yoga Class
• Thursday – PM yoga class 1hr 15 
• Friday – AM 5 min cross trainer warm up, strength workout B from Fine Tune in phase of Female Body Breakthrough– light weight / high rep, 10 min HIIT step machine, 10 min HIIT bike

If you’re in the UK I’m sure you’ll agree that we have had a fantastic week of sunshine. I’ve been craving smoothies like a crazy person and have had two a day minimum! Here’s some of my faves from the week:

Pineapple, romaine, vanilla sun warrior protein powder x 2, water, ice, maca, ground flax, goji’s, coconut

Post Hot Yoga frozen raspberries and Vega Choc a lot protein powder

Cookies and cream spiru-tein, water, ice, xanthan gum, stevia topped with peanut flour sauce and dark chocolate chips

Mixed frozen berries, Good Hemp Chocolate Gym Shake, spring greens, spinach, water, ice, maca, ground flax, gojis, flaked almonds with a Tea Pigs chocolate flake tea with hemp milk and stevia

If I had been at home during the day I would have probably been making them for lunch! Obviously there have been salads:

Romaine, courgette, cucumber, carrot, red onion, cannellini beans, orange basil dressing

Romaine, cucumber, carrot, red pepper, red onion and a big portion of home made hummus

I also thought the warm weather provided a good excuse to use up some Pure Wraps. These are made from coconut meat and are completely raw. I had them for lunch with home made hummus and a big pile of veggies plus an apple on the side:

Then again for breakfast with almond butter and strawberries (plus a vanilla smoothie with sea salt on the side)

They are so delicious both sweet and savoury!

The hot weather has also encouraged me to finally get my summer wardrobe into action! I love being able to get my legs out and wear lighter clothing for a change:

Two of my outfits from this week: floral tea dress: Florence and Fred @ Tesco, yellow cardy:H&M, sandals: New Look, wooden bangles: Oasis // pink floaty vest top: H&M, linen trousers: Dorothy Perkins, necklace: New Look, gold sandals: Next

On the weekend send off Love List this week…

Being productive! (source)

This week I feel like I have been able to get a lot done at work, at home, for my business ideas and blog stuff. I love that feeling when you can tick things off your to do list! Also…

Pay day! // the sunshine (goes without saying really!) // Warehouse’s collection of dresses – I’m seriously tempted to treat myself // designing my business cards and flyers // raw cacao cinnamon kale chips (I’m munching on some as I type!) // spending time with James // wonderful comments, emails and encouragement from you fantastic blog readers!

In case you missed it:

• My amazing Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Bark recipe
• My first ever Vlog!

How has your week been? What two words would you use to describe it? What’s on your love list this week?

Hi everyone, hope you are all well this fine Wednesday! Today I’m sharing my eats and general goings on from Monday which was a pretty busy and random day, enjoy!

I started my day with the usual hot water and a squeeze of lemon before tucking into my breakfast of Dorset Cereals Simply Muesli, blueberries, blackberries and Alpro hazelnut milk:

I also made myself a frothy hazelnut milk latte:

That hazelnut milk is so good! I got a few cartons from the chilled section as it was 3 for £3 and it is far better than the room temperature hazelnut milk. This one is far creamier and more nutty!

For work I decided to wear my new funky necklace from Topshop paired with a simple white tee and black trousers:

I ate breakfast at 6.30am so I was feeling peckish for my snack by 10.30. I had a sliced pink lady apple with crunchy peanut butter for dipping:

I’d realised that it had been far too long since I’d had some proper peanut butter as recently I’ve tended to reach for the almond butter instead. Love me some PB!

For lunch I had a big salad with romaine, spinach, red onion, red pepper, olives and delicious basil tofu:

Mid afternoon I had another snack of my black bean hummus (check out that colour!) rice cakes and a sliced courgette:

The fridge had been looking pretty bear as far as veggies go, but luckily I quite like courgette dipped in hummus.

I left work and headed over to Newcastle so I could try out a Hot Pilates class at Yogalilies. I had actually forgot that England had a football match on until I realised that people were gathering around this big screen at the Monument:

I was early for my class so I stood and watched the first 20 minutes. There was also a market on around the monument and from where I was standing all I could smell was a mix of incense from the hippy clothing stand and barbeque from the German Bratwurst stand! I was glad to head over to Yogalilies to escape the weird smell and the crowds:

It’s a bit of an oasis of calm in the centre of town! I really enjoyed the class and shall be blogging more about it very soon!

After the class I decided to go and treat myself to a Starbucks:

I had meant to ask for decaf but I forgot! This was an iced grande soy latte and a very ripe banana I’d brought with me to snack on photographed while I swooned over the skin care in the window of Space NK.

Then it was back through to Durham via the petrol station, my parents house where I couldn’t resist taking a picture of their beautiful roses…

Roses are my favourite flower, these smelled beautiful. Then I called in to my Grandmas to say hi, then to pick up James from work and finally home!

At that time of night I always go for my failsafe ‘dinner’ of a green smoothie and boy was this a good one!

I blended spinach, 6 fresh apricots, vanilla sun warrior protein powder, ice, water and a little bit of vanilla stevia then topped it with Kashi Almond Flax Crunch and some raisins. It turned out the most vibrant green!

I had a mug of herbal tea before bed while I checked out the new Maximo Park album that had just been delivered:

I got a signed copy! Love this band, they are local and there’s just something about their sound and Paul Smith’s lyrics that remind me of home. They are even doing a bunch of mini gigs at Independent Music Stores around the North East on Saturday. I’m tempted to try and get to one but I know that they will be crazy busy, especially as the Olympic Torch Relay is going through Newcastle and Durham at the same time. I’ll be seeing them at Kendal Calling in July anyway :-)

So I was quite a busy little bee on Monday and having a few snacks sorted kept me going, apple and nut butter and hummus and rice cakes are definitely two of my favourites. As the title of the post suggests I felt like I was all over the place but I quite like having a lot of variety in my day like that. I could seriously get into the habit of popping to Yogalilies for a class and then treating myself to a Starbucks but I don’t think my bank balance would thank me!

On another note, anyone that fussed on the football this year? I used to really like watching England matches in the World Cup or Euros and this is the first year I really don’t care. I still hope they do well though!

Enjoy the rest of your week!