Category: Recipes

Hello all

I hope you all had lovely weekends. I managed to fit loads into the 2 days which is the best way I think. After the rainy run on Saturday morning, I needed to go shopping as I have a wedding over 2 days this week, so needed 2 outfits (nightmare- finding one is hard enough!). Andy agreed to go with me, and we treated ourselves to a Starbucks (well my treat for not getting too grumpy in the shops)- we shared a cinnamon roll for a late lunch- mmm. I managed to find some shoes, but no nice dresses. I picked a massive pile of blackcurrants from our garden and made a cheesecake for Sunday.

This is a massive pasta bowl and it is full of currants!

Not sure why it went to red in the picture!

I used a recipe that I had used before, (base of ginger biscuits and butter, middle of light cream cheese and light condensed milk- not sure why either of them are called light but anyway) and for the topping I heated 1/2 cup water, added some agar flakes, and then added the berries. I left it to cool a bit before I put it on the cheesecake, but it set really well. I still have loads of berries left though so I might make some jam or something.

Saturday evening we watched a film and shared some treats we had picked up at the shops- I had a little M&S voucher so we bought some chocolate pretzels, and some giant salted chocolate coated peanuts- yum!

Sunday morning I was up bright and early doing some work, and once I had made some progress I made us some pancakes- Andy requested banana and chocolate, so I put some chocolate chips in the batter (the batter was super easy- 1 egg, 75ml almond milk, 75g wholegrain spelt flour, 40g apple sauce, almond extract, baking powder and bicarb)- and while they were cooking I sliced a massive banana and cooked it in a pan with a tsp spread and a tbs coconut sugar. Yum. The banana was huge but it really cooked down- does not look like much compared to the big pile of pancakes!

I made some fudge (more fudge as end of term gifts for people)- this one was peanut butter fudge with white chocolate and freeze dried strawberries- instead of putting the chocolate as a layer in the middle, I sprinkled on chocolate chips (they melt as the fudge is hot) and then poured some strawberries on.

Then I went shopping again (this time on my own) and found a dress, although now I think I might need something for my hair? That might be a job for tomorrow! I then made the mistake of going to the allotment- my this wet weather has encouraged the weeds! I felt like crying- and what is the deal?? Something has been eating the onions but left all the other weeds that are growing around them- I don’t get it! Anyway, I did about an hour of weeding, but at least once I break up from work I can go up a bit more.

Then we had a lovely chilled out afternoon.evening at Andy’s parents- lots of wedding talk as it is his brother who gets married on Friday (and the Reception on Saturday)- it seems to have come along very quickly.

I was planning on doing some more work when we got home, but (shh) I didn’t because we got in at about half 9.

Today when I got home I went on a run, but again it was hard work. Not as hard work as last Monday’s run, but still my legs were stiff. I am not sure whether it is the longer runs on Saturday that are doing it, or whether I am not moving about enough on Sunday (although I think I was), or something else? Anyway the weather didn’t help- I know I prefer the cooler weather but it was windy and the rain was sideways at times (not too heavy just annoying). I did see some rabbits though 🙂

Right, off to watch The Newsroom- night 🙂

Hey peeps

I hope everyone had a fab week- I am glad that the weekend is finally here.

Earlier in the week I was sent some cake mixes and ingredients to try out, and so I decided to make the walnut brownies to take to work. On the packet there was an option to make them lower in fat, by using apple sauce instead of oil. It was so easy to make them- put apple sauce and egg in a bowl (and a little almond milk to thin because it seemed quite thick) and then pour on the dry ingredients.

Super easy.

I reduced the baking time by about 10 mins because it seemed long compared to most brownies that I make, but I suppose every oven is different.

At work we were having an Eco-day, so I decided that minty green icing was the way to go.

I used the recipe from the mint slices in Sweet vegan, which is pure spread, icing sugar and mint extract. I added the green colouring when I was beating the spread up, before I added in the icing sugar.

You can see the lovely chunks of walnuts in them.

And then sliced them up and put them into coloured cases to match 🙂

All ready for work- and they disappeared pretty quickly (and I was worried that the green colour would put people off).

A bit of running talk:

On Wednesday I went to Sweatshop for a run- it was fantastic! For the last few weeks I have been running with another girl as we seem to have a similar pace. We tend to be near the back, but not last, but we generally can’t see the people at the front by the time we get back. Anyway, this time we managed to keep up- about half a mile in there is a road crossing and we caught them up while they were waiting for the lights to change. We pushed the pace pretty hard (being encouraged by the guys who work there- two of them came on the run and took turns being at the front and back)- and we managed to do the whole route (just over 3 miles) in about 30 minutes- that is so fast, especially for me recently, and we kept the leaders in sight the whole time. I jogged home and luckily got in just before the rain got really hard, but my hamstrings were very sore the next day- a sign I had pushed it I suppose (but in a good way).

What a perfect post-run evening snack of a peanut butter pretzel mojo bar (what a lot of lovely words) and some chocolate almond milk.

It made body pump tough on Thursday! Friday morning I got up early to go on a short run before work- I find this helps me to stop being stiff after body pump, and I could not go after work because we were going into London to see The Sunshine Boys with Danny Devito. I think he is so funny (I love It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and I was not disappointed, although you could tell we got the £10 tickets because we were in the very top/back row- it was a long way down!

This morning I decided to not set the alarm, as the last 2 weekends we have had to set it, and I like to wake up naturally (plus we had a late night). I got up at 9am, had half a clif bar and then headed out on a run. The plan was 8 miles, so I had to check on the computer first because I have not done those long routes for ages, but I ended up doing one of my favourite routes- I think the last time I did that was the weekend before I went into hospital so that was a bit strange. Anyway, it was only raining lightly when I left, but after about 4 miles (typical- when I am half way and no chance of cutting it short!) it started to rain very heavily. Luckily I had chosen to wear my tennis visor which helps a little bit (especially with my glasses). I was running along quite a straight road, and as I turned to check before I crossed a side road, I could see another runner coming along behind me. When I stopped to cross the next side road, they had caught up, and stopped beside me at the same time. I did wonder why they were not overtaking me, and had a moment of panic- then I looked and saw that it was Andy! Phew! It was such a surprise because on Friday when we got back we checked the weather, and it is not meant to rain on Sunday, so he was going to go out then (he is a fair-weather runner!) so I was not expecting him to be out in it! I thought he would run on as he is faster, but he stayed with me for the last 3 miles (well at some points he would run on ahead, and then run back a bit to meet me)- it was really nice to have someone to chat to, although because the rain was hard I did keep telling him to go on and meet me at home. A nice surprise anyway 🙂

I was soaked through when I got home, but I managed the 8 miles in 1 hour 35, so not too bad. I got an email from the GNR saying 9 weeks this weekend- crazy!  I was also so cold, but a hot shower, breakfast and a cup of tea has helped. I should not complain because I find running easier when the weather is cooler.

Right, well as it is a rainy Saturday I have some indoor plans- popping to the shops (urgh, I have to go shoe shopping for a wedding next Friday) and then making a cheesecake with the blackcurrants from my garden- we have had a bumper harvest this year!

Have a lovely weekend 🙂

I really fancied a bean burger this week, and so I made some.

Super easy- a tin of beans, a couple of small (baked) sweet potatoes, some paprika, a tsp flour, some black pepper. Lime juice would be good- I might add that next time if I remember. Oh, I also added a tsp of egg replacer to help bind them together.

Mash it all up.

Shape into burgers and place on an oiled tray (I flipped them over so they had a little oil on both sides).

Bake for about 25/30 mins.

Serve! I had mine in a pitta (a yummy Food Doctor one as they were on offer), with some relish, baby avocado, a gherkin, roasted veggies and spinach.

Yum indeed, and so simple to make.  And, bonus, I have 3 more in the freezer for an even easier dinner 🙂

I had another Sweatshop run last night- I was meant to get my free t-shirt (again) but they didn’t have any in stock- boo! Will have to cross my fingers for next week. Anyway, we did a new route which was lovely, and again I managed to start off a little slower and finish a bit faster.

Right, off to body pump now! For those of you that do it, what do you think of the cool down track? I absolutely love it- I find it so uplifting and relaxing, but I have seen that some people don’t like it at all! I suppose it is different from the usual cool down tracks, but they are usually my least favourite ones, so it is a nice change that I actually enjoy it.

Bye 🙂

Hey peeps

While we were away, one morning I had some lovely home-made granola for breakfast, and it reminded me how delicious it can be. I decided to make my own- I started with a recipe from Sweet Vegan , but I changed it rather a lot (getting rid of the oil and brown sugar and replacing them with pb and grape juice, swapping in brown rice syrup for agave, changing the amounts of nuts and fruit). It is not perfect, but it is a good start, and very delicious.

First up- the ingredients:

Wet ingredients:

60g peanut butter

50ml grape juice

50ml brown rice syrup (or agave/ honey)

1 tsp vanilla

Gently heat these together in a pan- keep stirring until it all comes together. While this is going, pre-heat the oven to 150C.

Dry ingredients:

320g oats (I used the Sainsbury’s porridge mix which had oats, dried apple, cinnamon and raisins in, but plain oats would be fine).

45g coconut

100g almonds

50g brazil nuts

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix these together in a bowl, and then pour over the warm mixture.

Mix mix mix. I think next time I might make a little more of the wet mixture, as it was hard to coat all the oats. Then pour onto a tray, and bake for around 40 mins. Every 10/15 mins I got the tray out and shifted it all around so it would cook evenly.

When it is baked, add in some raisins (about 100g), then push the granola to the side of the tray so it hardens and cools into clumps.

This is lovely 🙂 The recipes makes a big tub too, so I shall be kept going for a while 🙂

Aside from that, I have been trying to stay indoors! I was meant to do a 6 mile run on Monday (although looking at my plan, I think that was a typo as I only did my first 6 mile one on Sunday)- I had to be back for the shopping to be delivered, so I did a short 3.2 miler (also glad of that because it was raining lightly when I left, but pretty heavy by the time I got home). I felt like I was going at a snail’s pace, but I did manage to keep a good pace- starting at about 10.40 per mile, and ending at 10.20. I have no idea how I am managing this at the moment but I seem to speed up towards the end of each run, and I hope I can continue it.

Today has been a lovely rest day- it is tipping it down with rain, so I am quite glad to be out of it (I feel sorry for the Sweatshop people as they are starting the beginners running today). I am making some sweet potato and kidney bean burgers instead.

The other day I was reading a very interesting article at No Meat Athlete– it was about the 10% rule when running. I had always heard this rule, but not really thought about it in depth. Anyway, it is worth a read I think. I think all the plans I have followed have not really followed the 10% rule. I suppose people should not increase mileage too dramatically (if you use km, do you say increase your kilometerage?) so that helps people to be mindful of it, but it is not actually that practical.

Just a thought anyway.

Bye 🙂

Breakfast:

Porridge with some oats (going cheap from Sainsbury’s) with dried apple and hazelnuts.

5 mile run! Well, 5.2 miles (and I did stop for a few mins for a chat on the way back too as I bumped into Bronagh)- my average pace was more like 11.30 miles (I thought the pace at the bottom of the watch was average but I think it might be current pace instead). I decided to go a little further as I have been running longer on my Sweatshop runs (as I run there and back as well)- so I went up to the lakes which I have not done for ages- it was fab- virtual high five!!  🙂

Yummy coconut water to rehydrate. I have’t been taking water with me on my runs as they are quite short (plus it has not been that warm) but I get such a dry mouth- I think I might have to again soon.

(This is actually from Friday night- we went into London to see Pointless being filmed, and then went to dinner, and on our way back did our food shop. I was very excited to see that Sainsbury’s make their own coconut water now, although it does contain sucralose- it can’t be sweetened too much because the cartons are something like 30 cals, but anyway it is about half the price of vita coco etc so worth a try I thought).

Then I sorted out my training plan, popping to the shops, pottered around, did some baking (hooray! I was getting withdrawal symptoms) and watched a film. 🙂

This morning started out with a real treat- I asked Andy what he fancied me baking this weekend, and he requested cinnamon rolls. I used the same recipe from Christmas, (this time I made 1/4 of the recipe) only I had no cranberries, so I used coconut instead. I also used coconut sugar to replace the regular sugar, and coconut oil to replace the butter in the filling. They seriously are so easy- the dough takes about 5 mins to make- you hardly need to knead it, then you leave it to rise, again it takes 5 mins to roll it out and spread on the filling, and then you just leave them in the fridge overnight. In the morning they only need 15 mins to cook. Delicious 🙂

I also managed to pick up some agar flakes yesterday, and have made some fruity grape jelly for a refreshing dessert. I was sent some Welch’s grape juice to review, and I mentioned I had loads to my Mum (I thought they would send a few mini cartons but they sent a massive box full) and she said grape juice is great for jelly. I also found a recipe for iced green tea, where you add grape juice instead of water, which I thought sounded lovely. And I found a recipe for blueberry muffins which used grape juice, so I might have a go at something similar to take to work this week.

I am loving having a weekend at home- I have been cooking my lunches for the week, and half watching the Grand Prix, then we are off to the cinema, then I will do a short run (got to stick to my plan now) and will probably watch some of the football later.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend too.

Any grape juice recipes to share with me?