Tag: yummy

Blog

Cooking with Quorn

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If you couldn’t tell already from my Instagram page, I am OBSESSED with Quorn. I think they offer such as a large variety of meat-free substitutes, that it makes it so much easier to stop/reduce your meat consumption.Whenever I talk to people about cooking with Quorn, they’re always a bit skeptical. So this blog post is for those of you who are unsure as to how to incorporate this fabulous food into your diet.

There are so many advantages to cooking with Quorn, a few include:

  • Cheaper than meat
  • lower in saturated fat than meat
  • very versatile – can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner
  • high fibre content
  • guilt free

Cooking with Quorn is so simple. I love the innovations that the company is always coming out with, they now even do a whole vegan range. Also, they have bacon, chicken slices for sandwiches and snacks such as scotch eggs and cocktail sausages (which taste amazing!) It makes committing to these dietary choices so much easier, knowing that you can still have something that will provide you with protein, and far less saturated fat per serving.

Cooked BreakfastIMG_6755

Who doesn’t love a nice cooked brekkie?! For me, veggie sausages make a cooked breakfast SO much better, you also don’t feel bad for eating them as they a great in terms of macros. Plus, they make the best sausage sandwiches.

 

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Roast Dinner

A nice Sunday roast with all the trimmings, please. Yep, still possible with Quorn. On my roast, I will have a Quorn chicken fillet with everything else that usually goes on a roast! Also, it makes cooking a roast far easier if you only have to put a Quorn chicken fillet in the oven.

Spaghetti Bolognese24321736_1727072897366962_2087718851_o

This is a classic midweek winner, that you don’t have to miss out on if you’re vegetarian.  According to the Quorn website, when this dish is made with Quorn mince, it contains 90% less saturated fat than regular mince! When I make this dish for friends or family…I always tell them it’s made with real mince,  and half the time they don’t even notice 😉

24818822_1730014770406108_37254609_oChicken Curry

Curry is another classic that I couldn’t live without.  Quorn chicken pieces are great in curries, and reduce the cooking time by a lot…a win-win ;). The recipe for this red lentil and chicken curry dish can be found here, I highly recommend this as a mid-week dish as it is so easy and cheap.

 

As you become used to cooking with Quorn, you’ll realise that the possibilities are endless, you don’t have to stick to vegetarian recipes either, as Quorn work perfectly when subbed into recipes that would normally contain meat. Thank you for reading, and I hope I’ve inspired you to give Quorn products a go, even if it is only for one meal per week,

Jazzy B ❤

 

Recipies, Treats

Chai Spiced Banana Bread

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Yep. It’s another banana bread recipe because I love it so much! This time, I’ve spiced it with all of the warming flavors from a chai latte such as ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

This is refined sugar-free and doesn’t use any butter also, I’ve added spelt flour which has many benefits such as stimulating the immune system and encouraging healthy digestion. What I like most about this recipe is that it’s not too sweet, unlike traditional banana bread, which allows for the spice combinations to be tasted.

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Chai spiced banana loaf, topped with pecans, walnut halves and a drizzle of honey.

Ingredients

Dry mix:

  • 65g oats blitzed into a flour
  • 80g of spelt flour
  • 1.5 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 tsp of ginger
  • 1.5 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp of mixed spice
  • 1/2 tsp of salt

Wet mix:

  • 2.5 very ripe bananas
  • 2.5 tbsp of honey
  • 1/3 of a cup of milk
  • 1/4 of a cup of melted coconut oil

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Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, and grease a loaf tin with coconut oil
  2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl
  3. In a separate bowl, mash the banana until they form a pulp, then add the eggs, vanilla extract, coconut oil and milk
  4. Pour the wet ingredients in with the dry and fold together
  5. Pour the batter into the loaf tin, and top with slices from the leftover banana, and pecans and a drizzle of honey
  6. Place in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean

Tip: if the pecans start to brown too much, then place tinfoil over the loaf tin.

Nutritional Info

serves 12, per slice

  • Calories – 121
  • Carbs – 17.9
  • Fat – 4.35
  • Protein – 2.8

I hope you enjoy this autumnal take on a classic treat,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog, Snacks

Strange Snacks

jazzybfit

I am such a snacker. Snacks are what keep me going throughout the day, as I prefer to eat smaller meals, and then have a couple of healthy snacks in between. Often, I’ll just stick to my Staple Snacks, but as with everything you’ve got to mix things up to keep them interesting. So here are a few of what I like to call ‘strange’ snacks, as they aren’t you’re typical piece of fruit 😉

Seaweed Thins

These make the perfect snack for when you’re a little bit peckish, they’re very light and I just find the concept of eating seaweed so novel. Also, in my opinion, they look so much better than your bog-standard crisp…they’re Green! Normally, they come flavoured with sea salt, but I have tried some green tea infused thins before which were just as lovely.

IMG_7255Go Ahead Crunchy Dippers

Something a little sweet! When I saw these I just had to give them a go, especially as most snacks with breadsticks are savoury, and as I have a massive sweet tooth…they had me at hello ;). They are so worth the 148 calories, the perfect pick-me-up. Don’t fear if chocolate isn’t your thing, as they also have salted caramel and coconut and vanilla dippers…yum!

Protein Bars

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Yes…that is a Mars protein bar you see, and it is the bomb!

My new obsession. If I have had a really good gym session or I fancy some chocolate (always ;)), then I will reward myself with one of these bars of heaven. My favourite brands are Grenade, Quest, Mars, and Fulfil, as I find these all have the lowest sugar content and the highest protein. They can be quite expensive at £2.50 a bar, but it’s SO worth it. Also, if you haven’t tried heating one up the microwave you definitely should, it turn into a gooey chocolate pudding.

 

IMG_7287Walkers Poppadoms

These really are sensational, the flavour combinations work wonderfully together. Also, they’re only 63 calories and I’ve never seen a packet of crisps that low. If anything I would try them for the flavours, they’re unlike anything I’ve tasted.

 

So that concludes my strange snack round-up, I hope you’ve found something to spice up your snack cupboard (yes…I have a whole cupboard dedicated to snacks aha), until next time,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

Foodie Finds – September 2017

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For me, September is all about new beggings. It’s the time when I welcome the new academic year along with all its challenges and successes, not to mention all the comforts that autumn has to offer. Normally I’m a summer person, but this year I’m going to make an effort to really enjoy autumn and all its beauty. But for now I’m clinging on to whatever may be left of summer, and sharing with you my summer foodie finds. I hope you enjoy.

1) Oomf Protein Porridge Pots

I added banana slices, almonds and dark chocolate.

I packed this in my suitcase whilst going abroad so I had something to have in the morning…as it was an awful flight time! Normally pots like this leave me feeling hungry about an hour after I’ve eaten them, but this one left me satisfied! The flavours are also great, I tried the golden syrup and cinnamon flavours which were both so tasty. I also love that they allow enough room for you to top them with whatever you like. With a whopping 22g of protein and only 10g of sugar, and no washing up 😉 you can’t go wrong! These little pots also feature in my latest blog post, How to Stay Healthy on Holiday.

2) Dr. Zaks Salted Caramel CookieIMG_7732

The thing I like most about this is that it’s like a cookie that you get from a bakery. Normally the texture of protein ‘cookies’ are like rock hard biscuits, which is so disappointing! For me the texture is spot on, it’s so gooey and just melts in the mouth, and the flavour is delicious. Of course, the macros are also excellent with 15g of protein and 2.4g of sugar. They also have a chocolate chip and triple chocolate…deffo on my list to try ;).

3) Pulsin and Beyond Raw Chocolate Chip Brownie

I’ve had a lot of ‘raw’ brownies, but nothing quite compares to this one! The taste is so rich and chocolatey making this treat so moreish. Also, it’s raw (which seems to be the craze at the minute) as it involves all natural ingredients, which haven’t been cooked, therefore helping to retain the nutritional benefits, plus it’s vegan too. If I ever want a natural alternative when I’m fancying something sweet, I shall definitely be returning to this. I had my brownie on top of some porridge oats, which worked a treat making this bar so versatile, but, you could also top your pancakes with it or have it as an evening sweet treat.

4) Grenade Banana Armour 

Grenade has done it again! There isn’t actually a single bar that I don’t love, they’re all so good and this one certainly was no exception. I’ve heard a lot of people on social recommending to heat the bar up in the microwave, and that’s just what I did. It went from an amazing protein bar to an even better protein dessert. It’s also limited edition so I’d go and grab one now!

IMG_76275) Sparkling Ice Water

This is one of those random drinks that I picked up at the airport, I fancied something fizzy, flavoured and kinda healthy and this is what I bought. It was strawberry and Kiwi flavour, and oh my gosh I loved it. Definitely one of those drinks that you can’t stop sipping on…it didn’t even make it on the plane, I’d drunk it that quickly. The whole bottle had only 12 calories, and if that doesn’t convince you enough…it’s green, so novel!

 

Well, that’s my September foodie roundup complete, stay tuned for what other groovy things I can find in October,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

How to Stay Healthy on Holiday

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For me going on holiday involves relaxing, exploring and enjoying all things food. I Have not long returned from a lovely holiday to Gran Canaria, where I most certainly did all of the above! However, often the hardest thing is about finding the balance between staying healthy/maintaining your progress whilst also enjoying and indulging in all things food and culture.

For me, the key to finding this balance is in fact quite simple: take things back to their basics! This applies to many things such as exercise, food, treats, sleep, and relaxation. If this balance is achieved you’ll have one feel-good holiday. For example, I ensured I ate good food, went for lots of strolls (even if that was only to the shop to get some chocci ;)) had a good nights sleep, and importantly allowed some time to chill. I will be sharing with you my tips on how to have a great holiday and feel on top of your game at the same time.

  • Healthy airport snacks

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    Hippeas chickpea puffs, a Fulfil cookies and cream protein bar, some nuts, and Fruit-tella sugar-free fruit foams.

I love the buzz of the airport. For me, the holiday starts as soon as I’m in the airport. This is the time that I’ll buy my snacks for the plane because who doesn’t love snacking on the plane?! Typically I’ll buy a protein bar, a packet of nuts and a small sweet something, this way you’re less tempted to fall for the sugar-filled plane snacks. To the right are a few of the snacks I purchased.

  • Be as active as possible

By this, I don’t mean spending hours in the hotel gym  (because let’s face hotel gyms can be seriously hit or miss 😂) or even going for a 5 mile jog. I’m talking about making smaller changes such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to the nearest beach or having a stroll around the local area. It just so happens that there was a massive hill (called Lomo de Tabaibales) near my hotel which of course I had to walk up, and I’m so glad I did as the views were stunning…even if it was in unpractical pretty sandals. I love going for a morning or evening walk as I find it really relaxing, and it encourages mindfulness – something we could all focus on more.

If you look closely, you’ll see the cross!
  • Plenty of good foods

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Wholewheat spaghetti with tuna in tomato sauce, olive and strips of Edam.
Firstly I’ll visit the local supermarket to buy my essentials and to see what foods are available. Then I’ll do a rough plan of dinners that are full of micronutrients, protein, carbs etc. I don’t plan lunches or breakfast as I like to eat what I fancy on holiday, but I find planning dinner helps me to reach my macros. For example, some meals that I cooked this holiday include tuna and wholemeal spaghetti with olives, noodles with sardines, tomatoes and chickpeas, and a chickpea and egg Buddha bowl.

 

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An example of some of the foods I purchased once I had completed my meal plan.

For an all-inclusive holiday, the temptation can be a lot harder when it comes to meal times what with the never-ending buffet full of yummy desserts…so tempting! For breakfast I’ll go for foods high in good fats and protein, and also carbs e.g scrambled eggs on toast with an avocado or oats with some fruit. For lunch and dinner I will always put my side salad on my plate first, then find a healthy protein source and some carbs, and of course, if there is a dessert I like, I’ll have it (in moderation!)

 

Below are some of the dinners I had whilst on my holiday:

potatoes with mackerel in tomato sauce, with olives and tomato slices.
An egg and chickpea salad.
Sardines with noodles, chickpeas, tomatoes and olives.
  • Pack a few things from home

As I know my protein intake tends to be lower on holiday, I pack some of my favourite protein bars from Grenade and Fulfill, which you can also buy from the airport. Also, instant oat pots such as those from ‘Oomf’ are great for a protein boost. Another thing I’ll pack are mini bags of salt, pepper, and other spices/ herbs to really add flavour to any food that I cook.

Oomf protein porridge pots are the perfect size to pack in your suitcase.
A selection of protein bars that I also packed.
  • Enjoy yourself!IMG_7845[1]

Eat healthily, try to be active, and make time for you to unwind. Ultimately you’re on holiday, so of course, you have to indulge in a few drinks and nice food, but the key is to balance this out by making healthier choices elsewhere. Your progress and hard work will not be ruined over the duration of your holiday, in fact, you’ll probably return feeling full of energy and ready to smash some more personal bests!

I hope this blog post has proved that you can have your cake and eat it…quite literally 😉

Jazz B ❤

breakfast, Recipies

Vegan Lemon & Chia Seed Pancakes

jazzybfit

I love having pancakes for breakfast so much, that I’ve created a vegan version of my Protein Pancakes. I’ve not yet met a person that doesn’t love pancakes for brekkie, so thought I’d share the pancake love with you all, vegan style.

 

 

Although not a vegan myself, I have nothing but admiration for those who are! Having tried a lot of vegan pancakes recipes they tend to use fancy and expensive ingredients, which is great if you’re planning to have pancakes some other day and are willing to buy the ingredients, but if you’re like me…I want them when I crave them ;). Therefore, this recipe uses very basic ingredients which you’ll probably have lying around in your kitchen anyway.

These lemon pancakes, are exactly like the classic pancake day combo of lemon and sugar, except a lot healthier and you can eat them for breakfast.

Ingredients

Serves 1, making 6 – 8 small pancakes.

  • 45g of oats (blitzed into a powder)
  • 1/2 a ripe banana, chopped
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • 2 tbsp of lemon juice, plus extra for flavouring
  • Agave nectar syrup
  • 75-80ml Unsweetened Almond Milk
  • 2 tbsp of Alpro Go On yoghurt
  • 1tbsp of chia/poppy seeds

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Method

  1. Blitz the oats into a powder
  2. Add all the other ingredients into the blender (adding the milk bit by bit)
  3. Pour the batter into a preheated pan with some coconut oil, as these take longer to cook than my other pancakes
  4. Stack them up, top with more Alpro yogurt, lemon juice, and drizzle agave nectar all over.

TIPS:

  • It really helps to have a good non-stick pan when making pancakes.
  • Always preheat your pan on a low heat whilst blending all the ingredients.
  • Add some coconut oil to the pan after each mini batch of pancakes.
  • Only flip the pancakes when lots of bubbles appear on the surface, and you should get perfect vegan pancakes…can you tell I’ve made these a lot?!

Nutritional Info

  • 359 calories
  • 40.7g carbs
  • 14.5g protein
  • 13.1g fat

Jazzy B ❤