I had a little pumpkin remaining from the autumn harvest, so after pureeing it I found a lovely little recipe for Pumpkin Muffins, and changed it round a bit to suit me.

Buying into the Hype

I would like to start off by saying that first of all I am by no means a beauty blogger. But I also would like to say I am a lover of art and all things beautiful. While on holidays in Spain I decided to treat myself (as if being on holidays in Spain wasn't a big enough treat) and I bought the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette, partly because it is drop-dead gorgeous and partly because the shades included were PERFECT for me.

Belfast Markets 2015

I had been planning to go to the Christmas Markets, for over a month now, and one thing or another kept leading to the trip being temporarily cancelled and postponed. Finally the day came when I hopped on the train and headed for the gorgeously festive European Markets that had settled into the heart of a well lit up Belfast City.

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.

Alicante - Holidays

Sorry I took a little break from blogging, I have been very busy and just hadn't the time to sit down and write or take photos. I have been packing for college and preparing for college and then of course actually moving and settling in. The week before I moved into my new room in University I took a little holiday to Alicante in Spain!! It was such a lovely place, so different and beautiful. I took a few photos of the gorgeous scenery there and I thought I would share them with you.

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.

101 Things in 1001 Days

1st September 2015- 29th May 2018

I start college this month, and I wanted to make a list of goals to complete over the next few (2 and a bit) years. What better way than to do a 101 Things for 1001 Days challenge.

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.

5 Happy Things

It's been a hectic few weeks, among exam results, college offers, debs/proms and planning for September and maybe even a wee holiday. In the middle of all this stress and change I wanted to remind myself of all the things that make me happy.

1. Flowers in my mother's garden

The sweet pea and the lavender are so lovely at this time of year.

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

July Favourites!!

So July is over and I thought I would be a typical, unoriginal blogger and do a little post on my favourites for the month, except a little different because I am doing my favourite FOODS (or I suppose ingredients) for July. 

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.

Homemade Coffee & Coconut Oil Body Scrub

I'm sure lots of you have heard of Frank's Coffee Scrub, a miracle worker which boasts treating certain beauty 'flaws' such as stretch marks and acne. As a somewhat broke student I find it difficult to fork out €20 euro or more (at least not until I get a job) ...for a product that might not work.

Whether you want to treat acne, stretchmarks and cellulite.. or not, we all love a little pamper session. In my opinion a coffee scrub is a perfect way to do so because I find it quite relaxing and because of the many skin benefiting ingredients it contains! So what could be better than a homemade scrub, made using recycled coffee grinds, coconut oil and salt.

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).