WIAW: I Believe…

Posted on February 29, 2012 by yolie

Hi loves!  Happy What I Ate Wednesday! Sun  Mine today is all about what I ate today, as per usual – but is kind of themed, cause that’s just how I felt like rolling! Star

I believe that this morning’s bowl of oats was out-of-this-world delicious!  (and nutritious!) Winking smile

I believe that oats are best left overnight in the fridge, so that they are thick, cake-like and dense when I eat them the next morning.

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I believe that cinnamon + coconut butter + vanilla stevia + banana are additions to oats that make it taste like a sweet treat, and delicious dessert!

I believe that coconut butter tastes FAR better on oatmeal than almond butter does – it’s like creamy, sweet, rich and decadent frosting! Open-mouthed smile

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I believe that almond butter is my number one banana topping!

Those two belong together, and for the life of me I cannot eat fresh banana without a smear of almond butter now, lol! Flirt male

I believe that since eating more of this dynamic duo, I don’t miss snack bars at all!  I used to eat at least 2-3 bars a day, but now I eat more real foods instead – like nuts and fruit.

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I believe I will make exceptions for the ridiculously tasty MOJO bar! Winking smile As I did this morning before my workout. Smile

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I believe that sweet + salty = another wonderful combination! Smile with tongue out  And that peanut butter chips are epic. Smile

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I believe that working out makes me feel alive, and happy.  I love the gym I go to now, because it has my favourite elliptical and so many free weights and weight machines.

I believe my workout this morning hit the spot, and left me high and content! Smile  30 minutes steady cardio on the Precor elliptical +  leg extensions, goblet squats, and leg presses.

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I believe that an apple (especially pink lady ones) and raw almonds makes the best post-workout snack! Smile  Easy to pack, no mess, tastes great!

I believe that healthy omega fats – found in nuts, seeds, some oils, fish, for example – are GOOD for you! And I embrace them! Open-mouthed smile

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I believe that it’s important to fuel your body well and cultivate a healthy respect towards it! Your body deserves to be fed an abundance of good food, not forced to run on too little. Red heart

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I believe that this rye bread may be crumbly and messy to eat, but it sure does taste good!

I believe that a wholegrain sandwich with lean protein + fruit + chocolate is my favourite lunch to-go right now.

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I believe this cute BUILT tote is a life-saver when it comes to packing my lunch.

I believe anything to do with nature – like the leaves on this bag – attracts me!

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I believe in chocolate. Winking smile  Lots of dark, delicious chocolate. Makes a perfect anytime treat, dessert, or snack attack choice.

I believe it’s okay to eat more than one bar a day, and not feel guilty about it at ALL!  I had one for dessert after lunch today, and often eat one for a post-breakfast dessert too! Smile with tongue out

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I believe that I MAY be getting the hang of making pretty omelettes? Flirt male

I believe that the more vegetables I eat at dinner-time, the merrier. Smile

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I believe that sweet potatoes taste amazing, no matter the colour!

I also believe that they taste fantastic with a dab of coconut oil on top.  Mmmm… In love

I believe that this Booja-Booja vegan ice cream rocks my world! Rolling on the floor laughing  AMAZING!  Laughing out loud

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What do YOU believe?

<3 xyx

Posted in Breakfast, Cardio, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Dinner, Food Attitude, Gym, Healthy & Happy Eating Habits, Love Vegetables, Lunch, Musings, Snack, What I Ate Wednesday, Workout | 22 Comments

Happy Birthday in the Depths of Dartmoor

Posted on February 28, 2012 by yolie

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I hope you’re having a wonderful one!

One reason I love writing this blog is being able to document my memories, and look back on them at a later date.  It makes me smile!  Almost like a little gratitude journal, is this little blog to me at times.  Smile

So, with that in mind… I am soooo thankful for the wonderful birthday that I celebrated last week.  It was an extra special one, because The Kiwi was amazing, and arranged for us to go away on a 3-day road trip together!

He even kept it a secret, right up until the day before we left!  I did have an inkling that something was afoot – there was a few occasions he hid his laptop from me, and frantically closed tabs when I walked past!  But all in all, he was very sneaky, lol! Smile with tongue out

We went to stay in a quaint and picturesque Bed & Breakfast in beautiful Dartmoor, deep in the depths of South West England.  Dartmoor is near the coast, and in the moors.  It was heavenly.

In all my (now, lol!) 27 years I had only been there once, when I was a child.  It was so lovely to go back with the Kiwi; to enjoy the stunning scenery together; to make fun memories; and soak up the great outdoors!

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Mother nature smiled on us and the weather was perfect.  Cold, crisp, sunshine, bright, clear skies, fresh air.  A perfect winter series of days – we were so lucky! Sun

SLEEPING & EATING

This is the place we were staying.  Longacre B&B.  I would definitely recommend it!  The setting was divine. A beautiful, well-lit converted barn, in a tranquil rural location. With a very comfy bed. Smile

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The Kiwi gets triple-awesomeness points for clearing my food needs with the owner beforehand.  Dairy free for me, please. Smile

So the owner made me oats with water every morning – while the Kiwi chowed down on an old fashioned cooked breakfast.

I added some sweet, thick DIVINE home-produced local honey provided at the B&B; fresh sliced banana (I always bring bananas when I travel); and my very own protein powder sachet to my oats, to make a filling and tasty morning meal.

Here were some of the highlights of our adventures…

RIDING THE MOORS

On our first day we went horse riding!  It was so much fun! Open-mouthed smile

I’m an experienced rider, and used to have my own horse.  And when we go riding casually, you often get put on slooooooow ponies.

This time, I got lucky! Smile with tongue out  I was so happy to be put on a sprightly, bouncy, and energetic little pony with SO much personality and spirit.  That made it wonderful!  Smile  He was all spooky and fresh…love it!  A challenging ride is a FUN ride! Winking smile

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Poor Tom – his pony wasn’t quite as speedy.  Winking smile  Hence the distance between us and him!

Dartmoor is know for its wild ponies – they roam the moors, and are so curious, fluffy and cute!  They came over to say hello, and stir up trouble, lol! Smile

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BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

On our second day we went exploring by car, and then took a fantastic hike to a beach, and along a steep and stark cliff-side path, to a lone lighthouse.

This was at the Southern most tip of Dartmoor, called Start Point.  Stunning.  Smile  I was in awe of the landscape! <3  And stoked to see SAND in England, lol! Winking smile

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We roamed the beach, played on the rocks, explored the area; the Kiwi got over ambitious and tripped on a rock. Winking smile  Pebble – 1, Kiwi – 0.

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Soaking up the panoramic seascape was like inhaling PURE nature, and the views were breath-taking.  We were both in heaven! Smile  Nature = where I feel most free.

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An absolutely wonderful birthday with my best friend.  Smile Red heart  I love discovering these hidden gems in England – it really is a beautiful country! Sun  Come visit, aight?! Winking smile

Take care, and have a beautiful day! Open-mouthed smile xyx

PS: Something fun I found today… THESE chocolate coconut no-bake protein bars from Oxygen magazine’s blog look AMAZING!  I cannot wait to make them eat them!

Posted in England, Hiking, Love, Play | 8 Comments

Lavender, Chamomile & Rose Infused Oatmeal

Posted on February 27, 2012 by yolie

Afternoon, loves!  Hope you’re having a happy Monday. Smile

I’m full of roasted chicken right now from the delicious chicken, cucumber and mustard sandwich I just scarfed down…too fast to take a photo. Flirt male And a whole grocery shop is waiting at my feet to be unpacked. 

However, this shall have to wait, because I cannot wait to share this post with you!  And, to be honest, I feel like a little couch time post-work, before putting on my domestic goddess hat. Winking smile

I use that term VERY loosely.  Smile with tongue out  I’m pretty sure domestic goddesses wear aprons; know how to make house guests more than just mac ‘n’ cheese; and don’t call making sandwiches “cooking”. Winking smile

Making oatmeal is also “cooking” in my book.  Smile with tongue out  After all, it’s not just a bowl of cereal, right?  There is some quality nutrition, prep work, and real whole foods in there! Winking smile 

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Anyways, this morning I made something a little bit special for my morning meal.  SO pretty, purple and pink! Flirt male

Lavender, Chamomile and Rose infused oats – courtesy of a tea bag of LOVE by Pukka.  There are some heavenly flavours in here…so many delicate blossoms and flowers! Smile

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Inspired by posts from Elise and Meg, who both championed this oat-making technique, I bookmarked it for later use…and today was the day when I finally remembered, lol! Smile with tongue out

All you do is use herbal TEA rather than plain old water to make your oatmeal with.  Simples.  Such a little thing, that makes a BIG difference!  I steeped my tea bag for about 5 minutes in boiling water before adding it to the oats.

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This bowl contained:

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1 cup of LOVE tea – chamomile, rose and lavender
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • Handful of goji berries
  • 1 scoop Sun Warrior vanilla rice protein powder

It was amazing.  The flavour from the steeped tea really did infuse my oatmeal, and I could taste the delicious flavours with every single bite. 

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I really loved how the oats, and the goji berries, soaked up the herbal tea, and were plump with herb and flower flavours!   It gave the bowl such depth, and was very delicate, but totally palpable.  LOVE! Red heart

Topped with coconut butter = perfection in a bowl.

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I cannot wait to try this again!  I think I am going to get down to my local health food store at my parent’s place, where they serve tea in single serving sachets. 

I’m stoked to get a whole assortment of flavours, and types, and create some more wonderful tea-infused oatmeal bowls! Open-mouthed smile

What flavour combinations would you create, do you think?

I think that chai tea oats would be YUMMY, with vanilla protein powder, banana, and coconut butter! 

And peppermint tea oats, with melted dark chocolate on top, banana, and chocolate protein powder.  Eeeep! –> excited!  Rolling on the floor laughing  Tasty times to come, lol! Winking smile 

Have a beautiful day! Red heart xyx

Posted in Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Fun Foodie Find, Healthy Eating How-To, Recipe, Vegan | 8 Comments

Shopaholic

Posted on February 26, 2012 by yolie

Happy Sunday, lovelies!  Hope your weekend has been FULL of fun!  Open-mouthed smile

Yesterday I headed up to London for a very important, and very exciting, meeting.  There is much change afoot over here.  Much positive change.  I’m so excited to blog about it, and share the news, and changes – I just can’t right now!  Soon. Very soon. Smile

This week I’ve not blogged much – simply because it has been a physical and emotional whirlwind, with much going on…excitement and sadness; highs and lows.

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I celebrated my birthday on Monday and a four-day trip away with the Kiwi to Dartmoor (BEAUTIFUL!  As you can see above <3).  Then there was the life-changing meeting yesterday; and the 1st Anniversary of the Kiwi’s mother’s passing on Wednesday.

So, this week was a mix of happy, joyful and excited; with sad, poignant and reflective.   “Life is a rollercoaster, you’ve just got to ride it.” Sun

Yeahhh, so, I’m easing my way back into blogging with some of the retail therapy I’ve been undertaking this week.

Me and internet shopping have a bit of a thing going on right now.  What can I say?  He’s tempting.  Very tempting. Winking smile  Thankfully pay day is Wednesday, lol! Flirt male

So, my shopping drug of choice is health food. Smile with tongue out  For the start of my shopping spree, I bought some new protein powder.  A necessary purchase.

Growing Naturals Rice Protein Powder.  This is a vegan, soy-free brand, and was on offer for quite a steal on this website – so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

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My Sun Warrior is about to run out, and even though he satisfies me like none before have, I’m just checking out the competition…keeping him on his toes, lol! Winking smile  What’s with all the food/boyfriend analogies here?  I have no idea.  Sorry peeps.  I’ll rein it in.  Flirt male

I bought some single serving sachets (perfect for travelling and eating well on-the-go) of both Vanilla and Chocolate.  As well as two jumbo sizes – one in each flavour.   This brand has 24g of vegan protein, and 110 calories, per serving – pretty awesome!

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On Saturday morning, on the train into the City, I chowed down on some banana oats (much to the curiosity of my fellow travellers) made to-go, with the vanilla flavour sachet.

It was yum.  Sweet, smooth, and delicious. Smile  I can see myself settling down with this protein powder. Winking smile

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I can also understand the other passengers’ disgusted curious glances.  The oats do have a face for radio don’t they, lol! Smile with tongue out

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I also restocked my beloved coconut manna.  This stuff is the bomb drizzled on oats.

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This is where my shopping spree turned more indulgent; less necessary.  Oops. Send a kiss  First up, I thought that this energy bar looked awesome!  So I bought one.  Just like that. Winking smile

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I love goji berries, and love the idea of trying a soy-and-dairy-free bar.  Very eczema friendly.  Which is what we (okay – I Winking smile) love and need.  Smile  I only bought one, for a treat -and I’m stoked to try it – will report back when I do!

Last but certainly not least, I checked out with some Living Fuel Super Coffee in my basket.  I don’t know how it got there. Smile with tongue out  This stuff is awesome.  My equivalent to Starbucks.  And I am NOT a coffee drinker at all – but this I like.

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You use 20 drops of this coffee extract per mug, and it tastes soooo good.  Not bitter, just very smooth, rich, and palatable.  I can drink it black, straight up, happy as a clam.  It’s meant to be very very pure, and high in antioxidants.   And it lasts foreverrrrr.

I think it will be extra delicious with some coconut milk and vanilla stevia.  Mmmmmm… Smile

So there you go!  My shopping spree!

Have you bought anything worth celebrating lately? 

Take care and have a beautiful day/night! It’s good to be back! Smile Big smiles Red heart xyx

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Posted in Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Fun Foodie Find, Groceries, Shopping | 5 Comments