The Veggie BBQ: Burger Recipe

I'm roughly six months into my new meat-free lifestyle and have only recently made my first black bean burger! I've experimented with kidney beans (too wet), chickpeas (too stodgy) and others beans which just didn't have the texture or flavour I was aiming for. I then saw Lauren from HotforFood's video 'the best damn vegan burger' which had me nearly dribbling on my keyboard. Lauren combined black beans with a meat free mince to keep a chewy texture, and packed in lots of other spices and tasty things which I couldn't wait to try!

We caramelised onions and blitzed them with the beans before mixing the paste in a large bowl with the mince, Lauren suggests using paprika and cumin to season but I also added some garlic powder because I am obsessed. Once you've shaped the patties, it's as simple as frying them in a little oil for 3 or so minutes on each side, basting with sticky barbecue sauce if you wish. These were honestly one of the best veggie burgers I've ever made from scratch and were a success with my meat loving boyfriend, so thumbs up all round. Apologies for not having a picture of the finished product, we were so hungry we scoffed them immediately...

If you are hosting a BBQ or party and want to have a veggie option that everyone will love, I'd definitely suggest giving these a try as once made, they can be kept in the fridge in advance to make life a little easier! I hope you check out HotforFood's other recipes as they all look delicious and not too complicated.

Aquafaba: Cutting Food Waste With Baking

I first heard of Aquafaba whilst watching foodie YouTube videos (avoiding work as per usual) and I’ve been hooked ever since! Essentially it is the name given to the liquid in cans of chickpeas and beans, which can be used in replacement of eggs when cooking. The stinky brine contains lots of protein and can be used in tons of recipes, so I experimented for a good few days!

Whisked for ten minutes with sugar and vanilla, Aquafaba worked perfectly in chocolate mousse, creating a bubbly mountain of creamy cocoa. When whipped into a tangy mayonnaise, it was perfect for crunchy potato wedges.But my favourite recipe has to be my lemon meringue pie (pictured  below). Far from traditional, but equally delicious!

 Normally I use loads of eggs in baking, which can become pricey, so I’m glad there is now a solution that uses up leftovers. Whether it’s for breadcrumbing veggies, binding burgers or making yorkshire puds, the options seem endless. I hope you give it a try, don't be put off by the smell! 

Spring Favourites

Sorry for not posting in a long time but I've been busy finishing my University work which is now officially over! The first year has flown by and I am enjoying relaxing in the warm weather before the job hunting begins... I've been trying out a few summery products and generally being outside a lot more so I thought I would share what I've been enjoying.

Apologies for the bad quality picture, it was the only spot in my room not covered in moving boxes and clutter!

My favourite book at the moment is called 'The Opposite of Loneliness' which is a collection of essays and stories by Marina Keegan, a very talented writer who tragically was in an accident and died shortly after graduating from Yale. Being aware that she is no longer with us made reading the non fiction sections quite difficult as I found it really upsetting hearing her dreams for the future. The short stories were enchanting and there are so many hopeful and inspiring quotes that I've actually written down to keep. I've since begged everyone I know to read it as she really captured the potential of our generation and the struggle when dealing with uncertainty, something we can all relate to.

BIG by Lush is a shampoo I talk about this here and I am still just as obsessed. With seaweed, coconut oil and sea salt this shampoo adds a lot of shine and volume and the fresh scent stays in my hair for the entire day. If you wash your hair everyday, this isn't suitable as it can be drying. I only use this once or twice a week and it cleanses my scalp and really helps with scrunching hair while it dries to make it extra curly. I've only got a tiny bit left of this and I will be repurchasing for sure as it's lasted a really long time!

Another Lush product I've tried recently is the Rub Rub Rub shower scrub which came in a gift box given to me by my lovely friends Lizzie and Laura! The blue scrub has a light floral scent and the salt gives it a sea-air vibe. I used it on dry skin, like my feet and elbows for a rough scrub and on wet skin on my legs so that it would be a little less harsh. Both worked really well and made me feel a little more confident about wearing shorts to the beach as my skin looked less dull and actually glowed. I'm yet to try this in my hair but if it's as good at adding volume as Big then I'll be chuffed!

I bought The Body Shop's Banana shampoo for my boyfriend and have fallen in love with it myself! it is creamy with a lovely strong banana scent which reminds me of holidays. This leaves my hair really noticeably shiny,which might be thanks to the honey in the shampoo. Cheap and gentle, it's one I'll definitely buy again.

Normally I find that a majority of toners are mainly water and don't really see the point, but I received a sample of the balancing toner by Grown Alchemist and thought I'd give it a try. A quick swipe in the afternoon, when my face is feeling too hot or gross after travelling and it feels really refreshed. This has Rose Absolute, Ginseng and Chamomile which gives it both skin calming properties and a fresh scent. If you suffer with redness or general oiliness throughout the day, this is a really nice option as it feels cleansing without drying the skin out.

Another skincare favourite is the Cucumber gel mask by Peter Thomas Roth, which feels amazing on tired, burnt or post-waxed skin. With papaya, pineapple and aloe on the ingredients list, this has a really tropical, plant-like scent which I love and the gloopy texture melts onto your face leaving it moisturised and refreshed. Using this when cold from the fridge also feels incredible, especially if you have puffy eyes.

Now the weather might be sunny, but my skin is definitely still dry from the winter and needs intense hydration. I've been using Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush body buttercream on my legs for a few months now and it's great. The scent is one of my favourites, it's filled with lime oils and smells like a sugary fruit pastille! If you are after a budget friendly, summer scented moisturiser then I would definitely recommend trying out the Soap and Glory range.

Cheap Student Decor- The New House!

My friends and I recently organised our housing arrangements for second year and I am already so excited. I've always loved change and back home I was forever rearranging furniture in my bedroom. I can't wait to have a living room again, as the halls of residence I'm in at the moment don't have a social area.For this post I thought I'd share some items I've got my eye on for decorating our new house in September. I'll also recommend some highstreet stores for cheaper options so that if any of you are looking to make student accommodation a little more homely, it won't break the bank.

There is an Ikea in Southampton which isn't too far from us so we'll be making a trip later in the year. The first thing I'll be picking up is a few of their potted plants  which are currently £4.50 for three. Cacti are supposedly very easy to keep alive and healthy, so they are perfect for us students who often forget to do the simplest tasks... I think they will look great on the kitchen windowsill or in the bathroom to add some green to the house!

Another must-buy from Ikea is this set of two scented candles with brightly coloured pots. I have always loved Ikea's range of candles so I'm looking forward to trying these mandarin and sea salt scented ones. Since it'll be heading into winter when we move in, it'll be nice to have vibrant and cheerful items to warm us up- and there's nothing more calming than candlelight. These are £3.50 for 2!

H&M home is great for homeware as they have such a big range of more affordable options, alongside some very stylish, more expensive pieces. I can't resist this set of two body towels because, well, I just love bananas! I don't think I've ever seen such an interesting print and it'll be nice to have enough bath things when guests come to stay. These are £6.99 and I've seen that there is a matching shower curtain, so I'll have to persuade my housemates on that one!

The last item I've found is from Ohh Deer, a site which has lots of quirky items. This Jungle print oven glove  is something I must get as I love cooking and have had too many flimsy tea towel related burns to not buy a proper glove. I much prefer this print over the floral, feminine Cath Kidson alternatives and this is only £7.95!

If you are looking to find cushions, blankets or other larger items, I'd recommend visiting TKMaxx and Zara home as their products are great quality and if you hunt around, you'll definitely find some bargains. I'll be updating you later in the year with all the decorating news!

Does First Year Matter?

https://www.ccsf.edu/en/student-services/admissions-and-registration/records/evaluation-and-graduation.html

There is something so frustrating about working really hard at University, only to be told ‘it’s only first year, it doesn’t even matter’.  If anything I'd say this only reinforces the lazy student stereotype, and adds another layer of pressure. Sure, we’ve got bills to pay, relationships to form and a pile of reading that never seems to shift, but now we have to prove that the work we do is worthy? It just baffles me.

I wanted to write this post to reassure those who are going to start university in September or are hearing similar comments from family and friends. First year assessments are worth the effort and those who dismiss your dedication are not who you should be taking advice from.  Learning to manage all the different tasks in your first year- or even your first term- can feel daunting to say the least, so don’t let anyone put you down.

The way I find I can deal with these comments is to find motivation from knowing that the work I do in first year is preparing me for the next, and by treating it with as much seriousness as a final dissertation, it will be not only to a good standard, but something I can be proud of. This is absolutely key, remembering that university is not just to get a degree and make your parents happy, but to discover what you love, to experiment with different things and create an experience in which you grow as a person.

It’s quite rare for me to do such serious posts but I wanted to get this out there. To compare one workload to another and judge how hard they have to work is unnecessary. If you are someone who is convincing yourself that you can just slob about for the first year, it’s inevitable that second year is going to be even more overwhelming. ‘Preparation is key’ is what they always used to say at school and sixth form, and I completely agree. As much as spontaneous adventures are wonderful, when it comes to managing work, it helps to keep on top of things.

Just one last thing, if someone (like me) does a creative degree which has no exams, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a huge amount of work to do. If anything, there are multiple different things that need our attention which vary from academic essays to writing poetry, both of which are more difficult depending on each person. Focus on your own situation and only give positive guidance to others if you feel that they are struggling. 

Empty Products

I finished up some face products this month, annoyingly all at the same time! I plan on making a trip to boots soon so would love some recommendations! 

First up is Origins Ginzing moisturiser, perfect for oily skin as its a non-clogging jelly formula. It was super hydrating and cooling with a delicious orange scent. It has done wonders to my sleep deprived student skin, giving a wide awake glow! I think it was around £24 and lasted a long time. 

I also finished this face wash from Nivea, which I didn't like much as it was a gloopy gel that was far to sticky. It's also very stripping which is not ideal for dry winter skin. There are other budget face washes out there that are much better than this one.

I finished the First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads which are great for those who are new to using acids for exfoliating as they are very gentle. You swipe these across your face after cleansing before popping some moisturiser on. These helped reduce redness and size of any breakouts I had, stopped it from being dry and flaky. You can get these for £20 from Feel Unique.

For hair, I finished up this conditioner from a set I'd been gifted before starting Uni. The L'occitane repairing range is made up of essential oils including sweet orange and geranium. With sweet almond oil to smooth and soften hair fibres, I had high expectations but it didn't actually moisturise my hair that much. This really smoothed my thick hair, but weighed it down a bit too much for regular use. I loved the smell but the full size is £27 and since I didn't love it, I won't be repurchasing for such a high price tag!

Another conditioner I finished up was the American Dream from Lush. This was quite a runny formula, which smelt of vanilla and strawberries. The sweet scent stayed in my hair for a really long time but it didn't do much for hydrating my hair which is a shame. Since better alternatives are available for a lot cheaper, I'm not planning on repurchasing.

The final two products are samples that came with other purchases or gift boxes at Christmas! 

Nuxe's 'huile' is a multi purpose dry oil which I tried this on my legs and as a hair mask. It smelt really nice, very nutty from the plant oils including Macadamia and Almond to repair and soften skin. My favourite thing about it was it was dry and quick to absorb without feeling greasy. The shine this gave my hair was gorgeous. I think this comes in a spray bottle at around £28 so if you want a pre-birthday splurge or to spoil your mum - this is a winner.

The final product is a sample of L'occitane's Shea butter foot cream.Taking the time to pamper and soothe cracked skin has been a nice addition to my winter night time routine. With 15% shea butter and antisceptic lavender oil, the cream was really nourishing and it's scent made me drift off to sleep a lot better.

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup: The Recipe

This is one of my favourite comforting dishes to make in this cold time of year, a sweet potato soup with warming spices. I usually chuck everything in by eye, but I've given some rough measurements below if anyone wants to give it a go! It takes half an hour tops to make, including prepping time- so a perfect option for after an evening lecture when all you want is fast food and sleep.

    

YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 tablespoon garam marsala 
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds/ground 
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds/ground
• 1 white onion
• As much red chilli as you like
• 2-3 garlic cloves 
• Chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 1-2 sweet potatoes- depending on size
• 1 vegetable stock cube dissolved in 1 litre hot water

Heat a splash of olive oil in a large saucepan before chucking in the chopped onion and garlic. After five minutes add all the spices (including the chilli). Allow this to dry fry for a few minutes then add your tomatoes, sweet potato chunks and the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, pop a lid on and leave to cook for 15-20 minutes. Either blend the soup with a handheld blender or a food processor, until smooth and creamy. Pop it back onto the heat for a few minutes and it's ready to serve!

Productive Procrastination

Sali Hughes spoke on the power of taking a few days out, which has inspired this post. Whether it be taking a morning off, or dedicating a whole Sunday to be 'physically and mentally unchallenged', it can be incredibly restorative. I am only a first year student but struggling with the workload kicks in more regularly than I expected. So after a productive week, I tend to take Sundays off, to remind myself that I am alive, and capable of more than simply typing essay after essay.

Illustration: Valérie Boivin

With that said, I began finding this time not all that useful, as I simply wasn't prepared. I spent it feeling guilty with each Netflix episode, worrying about tasks that were building up and generally being negative. So I decided that if I'm going to procrastinate, it's going to need to be done properly.

What does that involve, exactly? Well, the first step is to completely de-clutter my desk. Allowing me to work on a clean slate at the start of a new week. If I feel energetic (a rarity indeed) I hoover my dorm room and do all my washing. If only the boys I live with had such motivation!

I don't know about you but for me, the weekend is for indulgent breakfasts. A preferred change from the rushed smoothies and pre-morning lecture banana. The ultimate treat for me is taking time to prepare my favourite food at a slow pace. I'd probably opt for hot chocolate with smoked salmon, some french toast with syrup or a huge bowl of fruit.

The most helpful advice I would give is to write a to-do list for the week ahead, organising tasks and events from your calendar to make daily plans that are clear. This means you can slob it out for the rest of Sunday without panicking about deadlines or forgetting anything. This often makes me more productive throughout the week as each task I tick off the list, makes me more deserving of the chilled Sunday. That's what I tell myself anyway!

One of my favourite things to do is meal planning, which has helped my budgeting immensely. I check the cupboards and freezer to check what the situation is, which tends to be a lonely can of chickpeas and some sad greens at the back of the fridge. But hey- that's student life I guess. Then I browse Pinterest and Youtube for recipe inspiration, before making the meal plans for each day. As I only cook for one, there's usually a lot of leftovers which I either pop in the freezer or try to recreate into something interesting. Once this plan is made, I can create a sensible shopping list which can be stuck to, no extra thought required.

Once all the preparation for the week is done, you can start relaxing. I opt for baking, reading and binge watching programs I've missed during the week. I'd definitely choose a huge bubble bath but as as you know, my student halls don't have such luxuries! Also Sundays are perfect for skincare pampering, so I'd definitely recommend popping on a face mask. Let me know what you get up to when treating yourself to down time, I could always use more inspiration.

Valentines: The Self-Gift Guide

I never really liked the idea of Valentines in a romantic sense, and as a child I would spend the day baking with my mother instead. Though being a Bridget Jones stereotype probably had an influence, I'm still not a fan of the cheesiness. Instead, I've decided to see it as a brilliant excuse to treat yourself, a friend (or special friend...) and share the love. And yes, I know pancake day is first up, but I don't think any of us need convincing for such a delicious occasion.

Students are always told to budget and as much as this is a good thing, I do believe it is ok to indulge every so often. Be it the occasional meal out or a full blown haul... I've compiled a list of things I've picked up or have loved in the past.

First up, some Lush products. I love their festive ranges - Easter, Christmas etc, and Valentines is no exception. I actually ended up only buying one limited edition product and a permanent one, which is very impressive. I wish I had a bath in my bedroom at university, but it's nice to look forward to using these when I visit home.

Lover lamp (right): This bath bomb is filled with cocoa butter which melts to create a milky soft bath with a chocolate orange and vanilla scent. The floating red hearts are super cute and create a luxurious experience. For £3,95 I'd say it's a decent price for a large bath bomb- and you could always cut it in half.

French kiss (left):This is made up of relaxing scents including rosemary and lavender, with coconut oil for softness. The bubble bar turns the water a subtle lilac colour, so if you aren't a fan of the glittery bright colours that Lush tend to be known for- then this is a more 'grown up' option. These are reusable, create loads of bubbles and cost £4.25. Side note- I also recommend Lush's massage bars as they smell amazing and are lovely for post bath moisturizing.

In terms of perfume, I had to include my current favourite, Black Opium by YSL. It's dark and sweet with a strong vanilla scent. For a more masculine scent, I'd suggest Mont Blanc Emblem, Fleur de Force mentioned it in her Christmas gift guide and so I had to give it a sniff. This has a very woody smell, with grapefruit, cardamom and black peppercorns for warmth.

Aside from these physical products, I have to say that as a foodie girl, I love both cooking a special meal and being cooked for. So if you can't afford to splurge then there are always gems in the supermarket- seaweed spaghetti, new spices and exotic sauces are some of the things I find really cool. 

A good way of knowing what to buy someone is by checking out their Wantfeed. The site was created by the lovely Stef Michelak who shares a youtube channel with his wife Hannah. They upload weekly family video diaries which are stunning. So Wantfeed is essentially a way of discovering new things you love and creating a pin-board style page. Then, people (think partners, grandparents etc) can find inspiration for what to buy you for Christmas or on birthdays. Each item has a link to where you can buy it, and I'm pretty sure you can now purchase straight through the site itself. I've used this for a while now and it is just as addictive as Tumblr so be warned! 

My Wantfeed page- http://wantfeed.com/MiaRodriguez/wants

I hope you take some time out of work or studying to treat yourself, I certainly will be!

January Book Update

http://www.hellofebruary2016.com/goodbye-january-hello-february-pictures.html

I thought it would be interesting to log in the books I read each month and give mini-reviews. I'm aiming to read more than ever this year as 2015 was so hectic that I didn't make enough time to just relax and enjoy a good book. I know lots of people challenge themselves to read a certain amount each year but I think that takes away some of the magic, as you are almost forcing yourself to finish books.

So this month I've read 5 books, not including academic texts which I've flicked through in the library! Some were read on my kindle but majority were paperback, if you were wondering.

The first was Birdbox by Josh Malerman, lent to me by a friend. It's a post-apocalyptic novel in which society has broken down, leading to people being too frightened to leave their houses unless blindfolded. Alone with two young children, protagonist Malorie must venture out into the lost world. It's eerie thriller which I regret reading so late at night... Though this gets top marks for creepiness, I found the ending to be a little anticlimactic.

I then read How to Think More about Sex by Alain de Botton. This covered topics of adultery, lust and pornography and I discovered it through Hannah Witton (Youtuber and 'Sexpert'). It has some very interesting perspectives which I'd never considered and didn't have any unnecessary long words so it was digestible.

My mum sent a package in January which contained Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter. It's a story about a father of two boys, and surrounds them dealing with the death of their mother. It was formed mainly by snippets of conversation, thoughts and memories, offering a fragment of the struggles the father faces. Coming to terms with not only love and loss, but with the hardship in writing. If you love poetry and strong metaphor, this - I don't know whether to even call it a book- is for you.

Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller was also in the package. The book which I'd say was my favourite from this month. Eight year old Peggy is taken by her father to a hut in the middle of the woods, who tells her that the rest of the world has ended- that her mother and all of humanity is gone. She returns to civilization after nine years in the wilderness, discovering that not everything she believed was true after all. That's not a spoiler by the way, the first page describes her arrival home! It is told as a flashback as Peggy tries to understand the difference between their fantasy life and the real world.

The final book I read in January was The State We're In by Adele Parks, which was what I'd call a grown up chick flick. It was light hearted for the first half, with protagonist Jo trying to find true love in, well, every male. She wasn't all that likable, so when the depressing ending 'shocked' many readers, I couldn't help but sigh. Her naivety was quite uncomfortable to read, and though I did like other characters, it wasn't all that exciting, simply predictable.

I hope you've all had a lovely month, let me know what you've been reading and here's to a great February!

Cauliflower- The (Attempted) Revival

The humble Cauliflower, known mainly for it's blandness, acidic smell and needing two whole packs of Cheddar to make it taste any good. At least, that's what I thought. But upon finding this recipe for cauliflower buffalo wings I was prepared to be converted. With the promise of crunchy, spicy florets similar in texture to tangy BBQ chicken wings, I was intrigued.

At 79p (Lidl), Cauliflower is an absolute bargain as Chicken wings in comparison- cost £2.40 for a basic pack. Packed full of vitamin C and potassium, i'd say it's worth experimenting with.

So with these 'wings' you do a first bake in batter and then a second bake in hot sauce. The result should be crisp and sticky but mine ended up quite soggy... Whether my batter needed to be thicker or oven temperature higher, I'm not too sure. They did have a weirdly meaty texture and if you are a fan of sweet and sour dishes, these would be right up your street. I'm planning on chopping the leftovers to fry up with some rice and other veggies, so hopefully my next attempt will work better!

Hot for Food have tons of vegan recipes on their blog, I've tried many of them and they've been successful so definitely check them out. They definitely have better presentation skills than I do! Well, this didn't go to plan, but I'll definitely be testing more creative ways of eating veggies soon.

Peanut Butter Cookies (VEGAN)

January has been a dreary start to the year, and for me, all I want is to snuggle up each morning with a hot breakfast. But lets be honest, some days porridge just doesn't cut it. Tea and cookies on the other hand... Perfect!

Ok, I admit it's not the healthiest option, but eaten when gooey and warm from the oven, I dare you to resist! Luckily these require only a few things that will probably be in your cupboards already. For a cereal bar alternative or a change from the late night dairy milk snacking, my super simple recipe is below...

You will need:

• 1 cup peanut butter 
• 1 cup plain flour 
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Vanilla or cinnamon (I used a teaspoonful of each, but feel free to add raisins or chocolate chips too)
• 1 cup sugar (preferably brown but I'd run out)
• 1/4 cup oats

If healthier/less processed sugar and flour is used, these can become guilt free!

How to

1. Pre-heat your oven to 170c.
2. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter with the sugar using a wooden spoon until they form a thick paste.
3. Add all the other ingredients and mix into a dough (Add a splash of water to bind it together).
4. Roll into balls and pop onto a lined baking tray, keep them spread out as they will grow! Using a fork press down lightly on the top of each cookie before putting them on to bake for 8-11 minutes. 

 Leave them to cool for ten minutes to firm up then try not to eat them all at once...

These treats do actually have some health benefits, just in case you needed further convincing to give them a go! 

Peanut butter: The following perks only apply to peanut butter which doesn't have any salt or other artificial ingredients, I get mine in bulk here as it's cheaper than smaller jars. Rich in protein and healthy fats, peanut butter keeps you fuller for longer and helps to repair muscles after exercise (round of applause for anyone finding motivation to workout in this weather!)

Oats: These provide an energy boost for those early morning lectures and are high in fibre to help digestion. Cheap and cheerful!

Cinnamon: Not only a delicious spice, but can help lower and regulate blood sugar to help with those midday slumps... It's not just me, right? 

I hope you try this recipe and enjoy the weekend!

Moisture from MUJI

The cold weather has wrecked havoc with my skin, my richest moisturiser and creamy cleansers just haven't been cutting it. I decided in early January to test out some new products and luckily was sent a few bits from my mum along with some books- she is by far my favourite human!

I have always loved the simple packaging of MUJI products and fell in love as soon as I discovered they had brought out a new skincare range. The two products I received were 'essences' something which I had never heard of before, but are apparently well known in Korean skincare. If you are interested in doing some research, I found this article very helpful: http://sokoglam.com/blogs/news/11782665-skincare-101-essence-the-essential-step-in-skincare

The sensitive skin essence contains natural moisturising ingredients including grapefruit seed extracts and hyaluronic acid. According to Caroline Hirons (I.e. The queen of Skincare) 'Hyaluronic Acid is capable of absorbing up to 1000 times its weight in water. Basically it acts like a magnet to anything you put on top of it'.' With this in mind, I've been applying the essence as a serum beneath my moisturiser in the morning to lock it in when I leave and brace the wind! This also contains chamomile and rose which has helped with the soreness and redness I suffer from as a result of hormonal breakouts and maybe too many Percy Pigs...

In the evening I have been using the more intensely moisturising 'All in one essence'. With jojoba seed oil, olive oil and other fruit extracts aimed at creating a protective barrier to reduce water loss. This is slightly thicker than the sensitive version so I like using it as a night mask after. Both have helped combat tightness, dehydration and flaky skin, so I am a complete convert to this additional step in my skincare routine!

Both have a water based, gel-like consistency so perfect for oily skin that is suffering in the winter months. I will definitely be repurchasing the larger sizes as they are super affordable at £10-£15! I'm also finding myself tempted by the Cleansing gel cream and Moisturising milk.

What I Eat In A Week

I love reading foodie posts so I thought I'd try one out with what I eat in an average week. I aim for four sessions of HIIT training in a week on carb-heavy days. This was my first week back at uni so do excuse the lack of exciting meals, it takes me a while to create some kind of routine.

Monday:

I'd gone to do the weekly shop and other errands so didn't end up eating until after midday! I had half a packet of Spinach Ravioli with a tablespoon of red pesto and a large portion of lettuce leaves/cherry tomatoes. I also added some roasted garlic mayonnaise for a quick dressing. I later made a pizza using a tortilla wrap with mushrooms, green chilli, garlic, tomatoes and some sweet potato fries. I also had a large glass of orange juice between these meals but didn't take a picture!

Tuesday:

For breakfast on Tuesday I tested my new blender out for the first time, resulting in a green sludge which needed work... It was made with ginger, apple and spinach which I had alongside some toasted rye bread and peanut butter. Then after a three hour walk I went to the Union with my friend Megan and had a (super cheesy) tuna baguette which was a godsend since we were cold from the rain! For dinner I made a spicy sweet potato soup which was delicious so I will definitely post the recipe soon.

Wednesday: 

This breakfast was pretty simple, I just finished off the last of a bag of granola. It was a dried strawberry and sunflower seed one which I had with some almond milk. For lunch I experimented on a 'Reuben sandwich', replacing the beef (pastrami?) with smoked salmon and pairing it with spinach, cheese and sauerkraut. For dinner I poached some cod fillets in a tomato sauce and mixed that in with some tagliatelle, a hearty and quick meal. 

Thursday: 

This breakfast is hands down one of my favourites, thickly sliced rye bread with avocado, smoked salmon and loads of chilli flakes. Lunch was a creamy pasta dish with mushrooms and a loooooot of garlic. On this evening I went to food tasting, where we are paid to judge different products. This session included some marinated salmon, various sauces and some puddings. 

Friday:

The same breakfast again but paired with a pre-workout smoothie (banana and spinach). I'll never get bored of the avo combo! For lunch I grabbed food while out with friends, which ended up being really awful as my fish was too dry-meh. By evening, hormones were running wild so I caved in and had half a veggie pizza, all the carbs! 

Saturday: 

So Saturday started with leftover pizza and a whole carton of chocolate milk, you can tell it was the time of the month aha! At around 3pm I then had a banana and spinach smoothie before ending the day with a huge baked sweet potato and salad. I also had lots of ginger tea in the evening which I completely forgot to take pictures of. 

I usually spend my Sundays working with whatever leftovers I have and writing meal plans for the following week, something I find strangely relaxing. I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments what your go-to meals are! 

Hello 2016.

January, we meet again.

Today I moved back to my flat, armed with a surge of independence and a new record player (thanks, Harry!) It is usually this day when I feel motivated, as the first couple of days tend to be fairly clouded by sausage roll regret and confusion as to what day it is. But anyway, here we are. It's raining buckets outside, so I've decided to postpone exploring for a mug of steaming tea has my name on.

2015 was filled with mad, very adult changes for me, including voting for the first time, vising Universities and MOVING AWAY! I traveled to Morocco with my mother, and learnt that we can be anywhere in the world, but will always end up snuggled up with a book. I also went to Rome on a Philosophy trip, a lovely way to end my time at school. I will hold fond memories of hotel room giggles and sharing gooey pizzas with gooey hearts.

It was also the third year spent with my other half, which is insane. It's been the loveliest of times, so it's tough to be apart now. Does four hours count as long distance? Anyway, if he's reading, thankyou for being my best buddy and spending this life with me.

I’m not one for strict resolutions, but I do have a few thoughts about what I’d like the year to bring. Or rather, what I will make of it. For a start, I’d like to donate more, I’ve been fairly consistent with taking bin bags of clothes to the charity shops but there are always other methods of of giving. Earlier in 2015 I gave blood for the first time, despite being terrified of needles and filling out important forms. But it really wasn’t so bad; in fact it brought a sense of pride and worth. So I’d like to do so again, as what are simply a few minutes of discomfort for me, result in the safety and ultimately life of someone else.

With all that deep stuff over with, I’d also like to focus on this blog, specifically the foodie aspect. Be it food hauls or ‘What I Eat In A Day’ posts, I am determined to feed some creativity into my life (if you pardon the pun). I’ve been watching lots of food related YouTube videos and blog posts and have felt very inspired to share things which make me happy.

I also plan on indulging on skincare, yes I am only 18. No, I am not worried about wrinkles, I just adore the process of self-love. There is just something magical about massaging balms and concoctions into my face each morning and night. Obviously skincare products bring many benefits, all of which fascinate me, but ultimately, I'm in it for the relaxation properties. This year I plan in investing a little more, because life is too short. I don't buy makeup, nor do I go out drinking much, so this is my guilty pleasure.