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. 

Words That Make A Difference #2

This week I'm all about appreciating what you've got.

I'm so often struck by how those who have a tougher lot in life seem to have the happiest and most positive outlook.  

No one's life runs totally smoothly, but you only get one shot at it, so you may as well appreciate what you have.

*Words That Make A Difference is a new series sharing some of my favourite quotes regarding life. I'm a great one for mantras and uplifting phrases, so I figured maybe sharing them may help a few of you too*

Super Simple Apple and Cinnamon Muffins

Recently I purchased a new silicon muffin tin and I have been addicted to muffin making since.

After reading and testing several different recipes I came up with this easy recipe for apple and cinnamon muffins.

It's super simple. Using a combination of melted butter and olive oil as opposed to the recipes that use olive oil only ensures that the muffins are moist but not greasey. The texture is great, and cinnamon and apple always makes a tastey combination.

The sliced apple topping is simple and effective. In hindsight I would:

1) have added a little less mixture to each mould as they rose and rose.

2)  brushed the apples with some apricot jam to add a nice sheen to the topping

These are easy, quick and make a good addition to any cup of tea or coffee. Yum. 

 -----------------------

Ingredients:- 190g all purpose flour

                   - 1.5 tsp baking powder (if you use self-raising flour, only add ½ tsp of powder

                   - 1 tsp cinnamon

                   - 2 eggs

                   - 30g sugar (ideally brown but can use white)

                   - 60g butter (melt it)

                   - 60ml olive oil

                   - 150-200g apple compote/sauce

                   - 2 Apples

                   - Apricot jam for brushing (optional)

To make: 1. Mix together your flour, cinnamon and baking powder

                2. In another bowl mix your eggs, sugar, oil, butter and compote/sauce

                3. Add the mixtures together and mix (but make sure you don't overmix!)

                4. Pop in to your muffin moulds (gresed if necessary)

                5. Thinly slice apple and place a couple of slices lightly on top of each muffin

                6. Brush apple with apricot jam for sheen or sprinkle some sugar over

                7. Bake at 180 Degrees Celcius for 20-25 mins (until the tops are browned and springy)

Words That Make A Difference #1

Welcome to Words That Make A Difference a new series sharing some of my favourite quotes regarding life. I'm a great one for mantras and uplifting phrases, so I figured maybe sharing them may help a few of you too.

This week I wanted to share this little phrase. For a long time I had this as the background on my phone, and it really does uplift. Pop it on your noticeboard or on a post-it at your desk or stick it on your fridge - a few words really do go a long way.

A change in attitude can make such a difference, even when it's against all odds, and that's why I love this little phrase. Even if you just apply it to one thing this week, go for it and see where it gets you.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

As the years have passed I have grown increasingly aware of having a good skin care routine. My skin type is slightly oily and so I am always keen to stop any potential outbreaks in their tracks. After a lot of tweaking I feel like I have eventually got a routine which works for me.

One product which has made it on to my tried and tested successful list is Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This oil free light weight moisturiser really lives up to the hype. I apply it at morning and night, it dries quickly and keeps the skin nicely hydrated without giving shine or increasing surface oil. I've definitely noticed that it has kept blemishes at bay, so all in all a thumbs up.

If you're more prone to drier skin then fear not because the lovely people at Clinique are looking out for you too with their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +.

I'd definitely recommend this range, it's certainly not cheap (50ml tube retail sat £17.00 & 125ml pump bottle is £29.50) but having good skin care is an essential foundation. I've had my bottle for  almost 3months and as you can see I still have a third left.

No moisturiser is a catch all, so whether it's Clinique or not, always make sure your moisturiser targets your skin type, it's amazing what a difference it can make.

Pop Off to Antwerp

Recently myself and the mister had a cheeky day trip to Antwerp. We enjoy Brussels but sometimes it's good to get out of town and see somewhere new. So we have drawn up a list of places to go, and this exploration saw us head to Antwerp.

Compared to Belgium's more touristy town's (Brugges and Ghent), Antwerp is very different. Brugges specialises in being like a real life toy town, and Ghent city centre is not far off. But where Antwerp flourishes in that respect is that it's refreshingly normal with far better shops than Brussels and also has some good foody corners. Enter Pop Off.

 

My sachetorte

This sweet little cafe is just behind the main square, and little is certainly the word. However with a window full of dribble worthy cakes, it draws in a tonne of people.

If you're lucky like us, you can land a table and then sit back, relax and enjoy! This cafe is a perfect spot for all. Gogreous acoustic music drifts through the rooms and you can see the owner/cake maker in action. When quizzing her over which cake to choose, she told us she loves them all - being her own boss she can choose her favourites, and try out new recipes if she fancies mixing it up. What a great way to live!

Pistachio-Cherry Goodness

We got a seat in the back, and chose the two beauties shown above- a Chocolate sachetorte for moi, and a pistachio-cherry mousey cake effort for the mister. All in all a great shout, the coffees even came with a square of sponge too (always appreciate extra cake).

So if you're popping off to Antwerp, you should definitely pop in to this little gem.

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