No-one avoids stress in life, but stress can affect people in many different ways. Sometimes the smallest things can throw someone overboard, while others are completely unaffected by pressure. This is all generally down to personality and a person's ability to withstand stress and work under pressure. Stress is a horrible thing no matter why or how it is effecting you.

Overall stress has many effects on our bodies, over a short term this is usually harmless, but constant or chronic stress can have huge repercussions on the body and a person's health.

Stress can cause headaches, difficulty sleeping and a feeling of anxiety, worry and depression. This is due to the fluctuating hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline) in the brain during stress. If the stress is short lived the hormones soon balance, while long term stress causes failure for the central nervous system to return to normal. Stress increases blood circulation, raising blood pressure and constricting blood vessels, over long periods of time, stress can increase the risk of hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and raise the risk of having a stroke or heart attack. In the digestive system, stress causes excess glucose production in the liver, the body can find coping with the excess sugar difficult, placing the person under risk of Type 2 Diabetes. It can also disrupt the way in which food moves through the body, so stress is often linked with constipation and diarrhea, since the 'fight or flight' hormone levels are elavated. Over long periods of time, stress can affect the immune system, as excess hormone production compromises it, leaving a person more susceptible to the flu and other viral infections.

Stress can be triggered by many aspects of our lives and no-one is immune to it, however after reading up on the many repercussions of stress I think it is important to notes the link between stress and health, which goes much deeper than affecting only our mental health.

There are many way to reduce stress and it's so important to find what works for yourself.

Some great ideas are:
Having a bath
Going for a walk, cycle or exercise in general
Reading
Meditation
Having a cup of tea
Listening to music
Taking time for yourself

There are so many way to relax and de-stress, and everyone is different. It's important to gain perspective to how your worries weigh into your life, and remember the things you worry about are usually not even worth over thinking.

Sweet and Zesty Side Salsa

Hi! I just wanted to share this little recipe for a Salsa that I love! It really spices up a plain meal and I cannot stop eating it til it's all gone! Here goes..

Serves 2 :
1 red chili
1 avocado
1/2 juice of a lemon
400g cherry tomatoes
4 spring onions
salt
pepper
parsley

Method:
Chop the avocado into chunks & the cherry tomatoes into halves.
Add about half the red chili, although if you like the heat add the whole thing (or even extra).
Dice the spring onions, add to the bowl and mix well.
Add the juice of half a lemon, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
Finely chop your parsley and sprinkle over the top.

I love serving salsa with fish cakes as it adds more interest and goes so well!

Chocolate & Raspberry Nibbles

These little shards of deliciousness are hands down my favourite go-to recipe when I'm wanting to satisfy a sweet craving without the guilt. They are super easy to make and actually very adaptable. The raspberries are a burst of fresh sweetness to a more deep tasting, almost bitter chocolate.

New Year!

It's now 13 days into the new year, and unlike other years I have taken a little longer to decide on my goals for this year. I didn't want to just pick a few ideas off the top of my head and almost immediately fall off the bandwagon. My unwritten goal of the year is to become more organised, hence why I bought myself a brand spanking new diary, for only 4 euro in Tesco. I just thought it was the sweetest little diary, and the perfect size for a handbag, so it can come everywhere with me!

Eating Better for Less

Everyone knows that eating well and eating healthy can be difficult on a small budget, and this has been increasingly noticeable for me since becoming a student. Here are my tips for spending less and still eating good, nutritious meals at the same time.

My Second Graze Box

So, as you know I got my first graze box delivered to me as a present from my sister, and I did a wee post about what was in my box, just for those curious as to what Graze is like. You can find that post here if you are interested. 

I thought I would do a follow up to that and do another post on what was in my second box, because its a bit different, and it shows what great variety Graze offer.

My First Graze Box

My sister sent me my first Graze box to my university address and I excitedly went to pick it up from the office. My first parcel and it involved food. I was over the moon. I had been dying to try Graze boxes for years... and now that I'm at Uni, it seemed like the perfect time. Of course I want to eat well, and affordably, and I also don't want to resort to lazy processed foods, high in artificial preservatives and nasties. Graze is perfect for me, as it has my favourite sort of foods in lovely, tasty mixes.

Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

Ok, so I have seen this little recipe everywhere, the old Chia Seeds and Overnight Oat pudding, and there are so many different and great variations.

Hummus / Houmous

I love this quick and easy recipe for a tasty little hummus dip (and yes I am in two minds about how to spell it). Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Munching!

We all start a year with resolutions, and most people start their summer with goals of some sort. My summer goal was to get fit and healthy... and although I haven't exactly gotten into exercise the way I thought I would, I've definitely been eating much better. One of the main ways I have been eating healthily is by including seeds in my diet. Chia, Sunflower, Pumpkin, Sesame... you name it. I sprinkle them on my breakfast, over fruit salads, and even try to include them in my baking, such as my banana bread and my sweet cheat fake chocolate truffles.

Gluten Free Diet - Day 1

When learning about Gluten Intolerance in school from Home Economics class I always thought it would be a pretty easy dietary requirement to have to deal with. I was under the impression that it only involved cutting out wheat (Pasta and Bread) and all that related food group: Barley. I thought that would be pretty simple. What I didn't realise is EVERYTHING has gluten in it. Cornflakes and even sausages contain gluten. Bread, pasta, cakes. Basically all the things people use to fill plates and bellies, contain gluten.

I am taking on a gluten free diet for the next two weeks for a few reasons.
Firstly I want to educate myself more on what foods are available for the Gluten Intolerant .. and already this has posed itself as a task. I want to search grocery shops, and see if I can still have decent meals without gluten. The first problem I have already come across is the price, with gluten free alternatives being more pricey than the gluten rich counterparts.
In cutting out gluten I am hoping to become more conscious of my diet and the foods I eat.
Secondly I am hoping that removing this protein from my diet will help with my skin at the moment (which is kind of spot central for some reason) as I have heard that gluten can cause skin reactions. I am willing to try anything at this stage.

DAY ONE

Breakfast:

Infused Water!

For me, drinking 2 litres of water a day is a chore sometimes, but water is a powerful way to flush toxins from the body, and adding fruit or vegetables (and sometimes spices) can have even extra benefits! I love adding flavours that make reaching my 2 litres a day target easier.

Here are some infused water combinations for you to try that I LOVE ... and of course why they are good for you.

Refreshing Cucumber, Lemon and Cinnamon Water

Fake Truffles

These 'truffles' are really balls of energy and fibre, disguised as chocolaty goodies. They are definitely the best thing that has come out of my kitchen in a long time - in regards to taste, a healthy treat and the ease of making! They are truly DELICIOUS.

Not Your Regular Salads - Quick, Simple & Quirky

2 medium courgettes
1 small garlic clove (crushed)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon chia/poppy seeds

Grate the courgettes and place in a bowl.
To this add the crushed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, honey and chia/poppy seeds.
Mix to combine and serve immediately.(If left to sit, the salad will become watery, due to the high water content of the courgettes and the other moist ingredients)

2 large oranges

4 handfuls of Rocket

Wash the rocket, dry and place in a bowl.

Peel the oranges and cut into segments.

Add all orange segments and juice to the bowl of rocket!

Simple and yummy.

Super Healthy Banana Bread

No added sugar, milk, eggs or oil.

Elderflower Cordial

It's summer and because I live in the countryside I'm lucky to be surrounded by lots of white blooming Elder flower trees (or Elder trees?). I've always been one to try and make the most of what's around me... especially when it comes to 

food, and I could not resist to try a simple little recipe for Elder Flower Cordial.(Especially when they look so pretty and dainty).