Words That Make A Difference #4

For this weeks quote I want to focus on self-love & self-worth.

I think it is so easy to get weighed down by what other people think, so much so that you lose what should be the essence of what makes you who you are. We all do it; we worry what people think of what we wear, what products we use, what we say, how we come across...

Of course you need to be sensitive to other people, and have self-awareness, but not to the extent that your happiness relies exclusively on them. Don't let it absorb who you are and take your identity. So don't wear something for someone else's approval, don't do something because you think it's what you should do - do it for you and don't lose yourself.

You can be happy with yourself because of yourself, you don't need other people's approval.

Drink Me Beautiful - Warm Lemon Water

Today I want to share a simple, yet effective top tip to help your skin glow.

I've mentioned before that I don't have the worlds clearest skin,  and so I've spent quite a but of time perfecting a good routine to help give me as clearer skin as possible. A key part of this routine is drinking warm lemon water every morning before breakfast.


Fresh lemon juice has wonderful properties - it cleanses your system, provides vitamin C to help clear skin, balances excess stomach acid as well as many other things.

I find that drinking it first thing in the morning before eating anything has made a huge difference to my skin. In fact if I'm away and stop drinking it, the following week my skin really shows it. Many friends of all ages have also said how much it has helped them - brighter skin, clearer skin, less redness... The list goes on.

It's super simple - squeeze fresh lemon juice ( I usually use a third of a large lemon), add warm water, and get drinking!

Words That Make a Difference #3

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a bit of a rut? Like there's so much you've been meaning to do but somehow you never get round to it? Well this weekend change that; whether it's a new sports class, a place you've always meant to visit, a group you always wanted to join, don't miss out for another week. Dip your toe in the water.

It's exhilarating to try something new, it can be so much more than what you expected, and you never know where it may lead. Yet if it doesn't work out so well, you can always make sure it's the first and the last time.

Banana & Chocolate Farmhouse Bread

 

To celebrate the fact that it's oh-so-almost the weekend I have decided to share with you one of my all-time favourite recipes!

This Green & Blacks recipe creates THE perfect banana and chocolate loaf. It is moist but not stodgey, with a perfect balance of flavours and it is suuper tastey. If you are in a rush and need a failsafe recipe this is my go to.

 

Use good chocolate though as this makes a big difference. Fortunately living in Europe's chocolate capital even the supermarket's own-brand is 70%+ in cocoa content. Brussels has its perks!

Happy baking!

Ingredients
225g self-raising flour
Pinch of salt
100g butter
175g sugar
2 eggs
2 bananas (the riper the better)
100g dark chocolate chopped into small pieces

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C
2. Cream the butter and sugar together
3. Add the eggs, banana and milk and mix making sure bananas are fully broken up
4. Add the flour and salt and mix (stop mixing as soon as it combines)
5. Fold in half the chocolate
6. Pour into greased loaf tin (c.23x13cm should do)  and pop rest of the chocolate on top and push the pieces in slightly

Pop in the oven for about 45mins and voila!

Fentimans' Curiosity Cola

This weekend I was in London and came across this must share product!

I'm a big fan of Fentimans - a company which takes pride in it's craftsmanship and quality, which brews herbs and plant roots as a basis for its drinks. They are probably best known for their gingerbeer, but they also do many other flavours including Curiosity Cola which I opted for.

With it's classy label, rustic bottle and rich (but not sugar heavy) flavour, this is a top quality beverage. Fentimans are ideal for when you're having a night off the alcohol, so don't reach for an on tap/canned beverage pick up one of these beauties instead.