A Waffly Nice Idea

Okay, I apologise in advanced for some horrible self-promotion, but that's what blogs are for right? Riiiight? Pffft.

Me and the wonderful Samuel are taking the plunge. We are trying to set up our own business.

As soon as me and Sam met, we were instantly the best of friends and have been in a relationship ever since. Yup, as cliché as it sounds, one of our main shared passions is the love of zombies food.

Our other shared passions include;

• Business,
• Opportunities for young people,
• The beautiful region of Kent,
• Sharing life-journeys,
• Feeding people,
• Smiles,
• Communities and
• the British Street Food Revolution,

We thought about the upcoming Street Food Movement and how it is nearing its peak in the UK's major towns and cities, however we felt dissatisfied with the lack of street food in the area, and after many nights talking, we that we should become part of the revolution ourselves!

We've already gained some interest, but as our passions for both business and opportunities for young people might suggest; we're young and looking for some opportunities. What this means is that we are ambitious and enthusiastic, but as most young people in the United Kingdom, we don't have much capital.

Maybe you could help two young people build a business and a dream. Everyone is rewarded for their contributions, even if it's a spare £1! If you can't afford a monetary contribution, sharing the post and spreading our message would be appreciated. It would really mean a lot to us.

Here's the best part, as a fun little competition, we're asking supporters a quick question;

If you were a waffle, what flavour would you be and why? Whoever gives us the best suggestion will have their waffle on our menu, named after them!

So why don't you check us out? We'd really appreciate it. You can find us at http://wafflynice.co.uk, thank you.

Mum, Dad! Get here now! - A poem dedicated to my little neice

I've recently become an aunty! This is just a little poem that popped into my head that made me crack a smile:

Can you hear me, Mum? /
You must obey my orders! /
That's you too, Daddy!

I'm thinking of baking them on to mugs for some lovely DIY presents, but fear it might be a little cheesy!

Boo and Beans (BSc Hons)

Our university results were posted yesterday. It seems as though I am no longer a student but in that weird limbo-stage of between finishing university, but not having our official graduation ceremony. I earned an Upper Second (2:1) which I am extremely pleased with, as did quite a few other members of my class, so smiles all round! If any of my peers happen to read this, thank you for your contribution to my university experience, I've learned a lot.

I'm slightly disappointed in myself for taking a break with the blog and my healthy lifestyle but right now, I feel as though I am in a good place. I had a gym induction today, followed by a self-motivated workout, which I actually enjoyed and I've been quite successful this week in regards to eating well and keeping hydrated (my weakness!), with lots of fruit!

As I prepared and tucked into my (portion-controlled, very satisfying and not breaded!) chicken and chips, I reflected on my achievements; "I did brilliantly at the gym - I didn't die." "I did it. I perfected the oven chip. Not soggy, so crispy. Why are curly fries sooo good?" "I finished uni, woohoo!" - It's strange to think that this really is the start of the rest of my life. Other important thoughts from today included; "Skinny isn't sexy, healthy is sexy.", "My tattoo looks great!" (*ahem*) and load of other borderline-cringey things like "strive for progress not perfection" and other motivational things that I found on Pinterest.

I've come to realise that if I want to be truly successful, if I want to be the woman that I want to be then this is the right way to go. How else can I tick off my bucket list? See the world? Live a long and fulfilled life, chasing around my future grandchildren? Healthy is the way to be, and I will get there.

New Foodie Goodies

This week I bought 3 things that I think could really aid my new healthy lifestyle, these were;

1. Two Chicks liquid egg whites
2. Tesco's Light Choices caesar salad dressing
3. Fry Light Sunflower oil

Today is my latest attempt at a fast day and so far, it's been rather successful.

I had a late brunch of 6 tablespoons of Two Chicks (equivalent of 2 medium eggs - only 46 calories, amazing!), scrambled with half a tablespoon if light margarine, 60ml of 1% fat milk, 50g of roast turkey and 50g of broccoli. I then topped that with a teaspoon of chipotle Tobasco sauce (I can't get enough of that stuff!) - It came to a total of 165 calories and was extremely filling and was actually a rather welcomed to change to just cereal, or toast.

Mid-afternoon snack was a nice juicy Gala apple! (71 calories)

And dinner was a Tesco side salad with the previously mentioned salad dressing (9 calories a tablespoon, woah) and the rest of the turkey (another 50g, at 54 calories) - so, the salad dressing wasn't fabulous but it was pretty good for such a low calorie dressing so I'm pleased.

Now I know I said I'd bought 3 things, and as you can see from the photograph, I have but unfortunately I've not had the opportunity to use the Fry Light spray yet but I am very excited to try it, I've not heard a bad thing about it so I'll make sure I'll let you know how it goes.

Tea-time!

In my attempt to get healthier, I gave in to the hype and bought a box of green tea bags. The first time I had tasted green tea, I immediately had the urge to run and find a bottle of drink to wash it away with, it was awful. My second green tea experience was in Wagamama's where Sam had ordered some and told me that he loves it. I just looked at him in disbelief, thinking that he was definitely not the type to enjoy it, and that he was obviously drinking it to prove a point somehow. I took a sip and recall thinking that it wasn't tasty but it could be drank.

Weeks later, and I'm standing in Waitrose, looking at boxes of green tea. I'd  been seeing it on various blogs and on MyFitnessPal and I just thought, why not? So I bought some, but upon remembering my previous experiences, I thought it would be wise to buy a green tea with lemon blend.

My beautiful tea cup, sat in it's natural habitat on the arm of the sofa.
A gift that Sam brought back from Bulgaria for me. 

I've just finished my first cup. If I said I enjoyed it, I would be lying but it was easy enough to drink. I took a sip straight away and realised that this would not satisfy my almost insatiable sweet tooth. I threw in a teaspoon of Agave nectar and the drink was instantly improved!

This agave nectar had 13.6 calories per teaspoon, whilst a teaspoon of granulated sugar has approximately 16 calories in it. This doesn't sound like a significant enough difference but agave nectar tastes very sweet resulting in the need to use less of it, and it is much healthier for you.

After using the most trustworthy of sources, the internet, to look up facts about green tea, I am now a green tea expert and can tell you all about why I am a convert. 

Top reasons to drink green tea -

• It is thought to boost the metabolism and help you burn up to an extra 200 calories,
• It's good for your teeth,
• It helps prevent you from getting ill,
• It's hydrating,
• It's beneficial to those who suffer from diabetes (handy to know as this runs in my family!)
• It's relaxing and thought to even improve memory!

I'm also thinking of mixing it up by adding some ginger - also proven to have many health benefits! Including helping you overcome things like colds and the flu.

I had a brainwave earlier, I'd just bought some Dorot frozen ginger and I'm thinking of adding this to my green tea. It comes in small frozen blocks which would be super convenient, would cool the tea down and would provide me with an extra healthy boost. I'll give it a go and report back soon. If you don't try, you'll never know!

Chicken with zingy lemon couscous

I wasn't fasting today but I had had a pretty heavy day, food wise. Volunteering in a community café seems to be both a gift and curse - bacon and egg hugging and caressing each other under the sheets of thick, soft and comforting, fluffy granary bread-bed; mint mochaccinos, so sweet that it gives you more buzz than a beehive, all whilst nibbling on cake disasters.

Because of this, I thought I should do myself a favour and go for a light evening meal, after much deliberation by and not much input from Sam ("I don't fancy fish." "What do you want then?" "Dunno.") - we (umm, I) finally decided on a chicken with lemon couscous.

All it takes is;

• Lazy lemon juice - 3 teaspoons at 3 calories,
• Some onion, dice it up - 128 grams at 48 calories
• (Cook from) Frozen chicken breast, approx. 115g at around 164 calories (each)
• Couscous, 260 grams at 388 calories
• Stock cube is optional, they're usually great at jazzing up couscous, but chilli couscous with a lemon zing, is probably jazzy enough!

And to cook it, you will need;

• One measuring jug,
• Kitchen foil,
• A decent knife,
• A set of scales and
• A baking tray

Contrary to the photo, despite the usefulness of a slow cooker, one isn't necessary to prepare this dish.

I'd just like to remind you, wonderful reader, that I am not a chef. And I've no idea on how to write recipes, so here goes;

1. Place your chicken on the baking tray and cook according to packet instruction. Wrap said baking tray in the kitchen foil and put it in the oven, gas mark 6 for 40 minutes, unwrap the chicken and put it back in for a further 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, attempt to finely dice your onions without losing a finger.
3. 5 minutes before the end of the chicken's cooking time, add 160ml of water (measuring jug) to your couscous, place your diced onion on top of it, in your jug and wait for the liquid to be soaked up. Then just fluff it up with a fork.
4. Chuck the couscous on a plate and throw your chicken breast on top of it.
5. Eat.

Simple. Simply tasty.

It isn't a looker, I know that. But it is effortless, tasty and low in calories, coming in at a total of 385 calories.

This was surprisingly satisfying. Big flavours definitely keep me from wanting much else, which is a great help when you're trying to be a little bit healthier! It isn't quite food-coma-inducing, however, I think it might keep me ticking over while I do more indulging, but this time in everyone's favourite guilty pleasure - the Eurovision Song Contest!

Summer Fruits Smoothie

If you know me well, you will know that I have a big love-hate relationship with food. I love food, it seems to hate me, and exercise? Well, we just hate each other.

Upon hearing about this new 5:2 (5-2, 5/2, however you like to stylize!) diet, I remember thinking that, if it works, it would be the most incredible thing to happen to me. So, I thought I'd try it.

(Okay, I'm gonna be truthful - it is a simply diet, but I am bloody greedy and therefore, I've found it hard to cut down, but it does get easier!)

This is my Summer Fruits Smoothie;

You will need -

• A frozen summer fruits mix, (I used 80g of a mix from Asda) 80g of fruit is 1 of your 5 day and is 26 calories.
• 250ml of semi-skimmed milk - 113 calories
• A teaspoon of agave nectar - sweet and low in calories at 14 calories, it's sweeter and much better for you than white sugar.
• and for an extra-filling protein boost, I threw in a scoop of soya protein which was 79 calories.

You may also need -

• A hand-blender. They're quite reasonably priced now and are such a versatile tool for the kitchen.

Quite simply, all you need to do is chuck it in a beaker, and blitz it up. Easy.

Photography isn't my forté.

My food photography is awful but I promise you it comes out as a perfect purple-y/lilac colour and is a lot more appetizing than in my photo! I blame the lack of light on this lovely British spring day! (If anyone does have any photography tips, I'd be very grateful!)

It comes in at 231 calories, is one of your five a day and is a super quick way to start the day! Match this up with a 250 kcal dinner, or a sack and something even lighter like a soup or F(E)AST's tuna and bean salad at 110 calories! (Check out this blog, it is nothing short of fantastic!)