Hello everyone, happy Friday! With pancake day and Valentines all in one week I hope its been a fun one for you :-) As I was saying on Wednesday I’ve had a lovely week off with plenty of chill time! I have enjoyed having a little more time to cook, for example pancakes for breakfast on a week day…
My simple protein pancakes made into two big ones with added blueberries and macadamia butter spread in between, yum! I also made traditional style pancakes for us on Tuesday morning, so good! As well as pancakes I’ve had my usual green (or sludge coloured in this case) smoothies:
This was kale, frozen blueberries, chocolate sun warrior protein powder, maca powder, unsweetened almond milk topped with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, goji berries and bee pollen.
Meal of the week has to go to this really simple combo of crispy fried courgettes with garlic topped with two fried eggs and parmesan:
Those eggs I get from the farm shop are amazing, I went back yesterday and bought another two dozen! That was followed by a lovely treat dessert:
Raw chocolate Coyo coconut yoghurt with frozen raspberries. When I was in London last week I bought some Coyo from Wholefoods to bring home with me. It is the bomb!
Tuesday was James birthday so we went out for lunch:
We went to The Big Mussel in Newcastle – a lovely fish and grill restaurant on the Quayside. I decided to have a steak with roasted root vegetables and bearnaise sauce. Mmm this was fab! I think I mentioned last week that I liked a good rare steak and this was cooked to medium rare perfection. Craving met!
As discussed in Wednesday’s post I’ve taken an even more laid back approach to workouts this week…
- Weekend – REST + walk
- Monday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout legs and shoulders, 10 min bike
- Tuesday – REST + walk (around Newcastle)
- Wednesday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout chest, back, abs, 10 min bike
- Thursday – Gym workout, 5 min cross trainer, LiveFit inspired workout arms, abs, legs, 10 min bike + walk
- Friday – REST
I’ve loved my strength workouts this week and really enjoyed them, I’m used to having to rush a little when I’m doing them before work but this week I have been able to take my time. I would have liked to do some yoga but with James being around it’s not as easy to find space to get my mat out. What I have liked is going out for little walks, either with James or on my own with a podcast to listen to. I’ve been feeling the need for more fresh air and being outdoors gives me more energy! We are lucky in that we have a woodland and some fields nearby that are nice for going walking…
I’m just looking forward to the spring and some sunshine now, if the weather had been nicer then a trip to the coast would have been had!
On the Love List this week…
I really loved this post from Purely Twins on being true to yourself, in fact I am really enjoying their posts at the moment. Their attitude to diet and lifestyle has been inspiring, I love that they don’t label their diet and experiment with what works for their bodies and stay true to that and not worry about what people think! Also…
Spending lots of time with James, I love that crazy bearded guy to pieces! // waking up without an alarm // walking and the crisp fresh air // smoked bacon and almond butter // finally tackling my pile of ironing // The Darjeeling Limited // knowing that I have a Topshop giftcard to spend this weekend! // home made salted caramel mochas
In case you missed it…
-
Pancake recipes galore!
-
A sneak peak inside my flat – and a look at some of the decorating I’ve been doing
-
An interview with the inspirational Camille from MyTrumi
-
Show yourself some love this valentines day over at Uniquely Healthy
-
My tips to Stress Less over at The High Tea Cast
-
Recipes for super food salted caramel mocha and cashew coconut candies in the Uniquely Healthy February Newsletter
Its been a busy blogging week!
What’s on your Love List this week? Did you do anything special for Valentines Day? As I said in the post over at Uniquely Healthy, we don’t really bother with Valentines day especially as it is so close to James birthday. We prefer to make more of a fuss of our anniversary instead, although it is a damn good excuse to eat some chocolate, or in my case several of those cashew coconut candies!
Do you like to spend time outdoors? What’s your favourite outdoor activity?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I love time outdoors and try and walk at least 2 miles a day. i’m looking forward to my move out of London next year and being in the countryside!
Becky recently posted..Tea and Cake London Number 5: Petersham Nusereries
I would love to be able to do more walking day to day. I bet it will be a big change for you moving out of the big smoke!
We never make a fuss over Valentines day either. We have been together for 8 years and don’t need a a particular day to show our love for each other. It is sweet seeing the youngsters all loved up though, My lil’ bro spoiled his girlfriend rotten and even cooked her a meal, so cute!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..{Vlog} January Favourites
Glad we aren’t the only ones! You are right about the younger ones / people who are in newer relationships, its very sweet!
I didn’t really do anything for valentines day, as we flew back to the uk for the few days last night. We are going to go for a nice meal next weekend instead. I love getting outdoors, especially on bright cold days like today, I had a perfect run this morning!
Lauren (@poweredbypb) recently posted..A weekend in Cork
Oh I bet it was a lovely run, such a nice day today :-)
That’s a great quote! And that yogurt on the raspberries looks amazing, good choice!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Sharing is Caring
Thanks it was delicious!
I have to disagree on the Purely Twins – I can’t take them seriously and I find their advice pretty hollow when it’s juxtaposed (in the post you linked) with a picture of one of them with about 10% body fat and weighing what? 100lbs soaking wet? Well no sh*t they love themselves and feel they’re worth something. So would I if I looked like that. I think the ‘do what’s right for you’ message is sincere coming from you, because I respect you. From them? Hmm, not for me. They’ve been in trouble for their pics tipping over from fitspiration into thinspiration before as well…also, a big thing of theirs is making time for exercise no matter what, which seems at odds with your recent more relaxed approach? I don’t know, I just found it surprising that you’d like them I guess!
Your workout programme actually looks almost the same as the recommended Phase 1 LiveFit structure anyway -they have three rest days in Phase 1 but no cardio, so I think you’re pretty much on track with the muscle building phase of LiveFit.
Oh, you lucky thing getting to eat Coyo! I’ve been trying to track some down at the Nutricentre in Newcastle but they’re always sold out :( Boo. One day I will try some, even if it’s in 2050 or something!
I love being outdoors and I’m so happy the weather has been better today. Obviously I’m going to say my favourite activity is running but I also like to walk and cycle outside in the summer.
xxx
You know I did not get that from them until you highlighted that stuff (honestly) – I can see the issue but I guess it just passed me by, also the thing with the working out. I know they are clearly thin, but I can’t say I’ve been focusing on that, more their honesty with their acne and digestive issues. Ugh, feel a bit shite for posting that now, oh well!
For Livefit I’m just combining some of the phase 2 workouts and joining them up and missing out the cardio as well as some of the exercises that the gym doesn’t have available – it seems to be working so far, I think its just good for me to have some structure to things even if I’m doing my own thing with it anyway!
Walking is probably my favourite form of exercise, I love wrapping up and going for a power walk, taking in the scenery and breathing fresh air. So good. Frozen berries and coyo sounds amazing! Have a lovely weekend Laura :)
Claire @ Flake And Cake recently posted..Pulsin’ with Energy
I totally agree! I think I’m going to try and do a lot more walking :-) You have a lovely weekend too – oh and while I remember I have sorted your giveaway prize out, you should be getting something in the post soon!
I love getting fresh air (that is partly why I love running so much)- but a walk is just wonderful. We have been making the most of our National Trust membership and have had loads of lovely walks this (well last) year.
I think being relaxed about working out is so important- you have to enjoy being active but also find a balance with actually living your life too.
We don’t do valentines day either (seems a bit cliche and commercial for me) but as I was late at work Andy cooked dinner (and even lit some candles!)- that was just perfect and what I needed after long days at work.
Glad you enjoyed your week off.
Also, thanks for mentioning me to the popcorn people- I got an email from them this week.
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted..Marmite pancakes (and some other food)
It must be lovely to have a National Trust membership! Sounds lovely that you had a candle lit meal! Great that the popcorn people got in touch :-)
Your steak meal, oh wow, looks so good! I am seriously craving meat at the moment – lucky I’m having meatballs for dinner tonight :))
I love going for walks with our dog, Alfie. It’s just so nice to get outside with either some music or a podcast and let the world pass you by. I love running as well – especially my long runs as I don’t think about anything in specific, just let my mind wander and enjoy the fresh air. Bliss!
I like your approach to exercise – it’s just so nice to read a blog that’s not so focused on intensely exercising every second. Exercise because you enjoy it and because you feel healthy from it. Don’t let it be a chore!
Anna @AnnaTheApple recently posted..Friday catch-up and Valentine fail
Oh hope you enjoyed your meat balls! I wish I had a dog, I would love going out walking it :-)
That looks like an absolutely gorgeous place to go for a nice walk! I live right by a river valley with plenty of trails, but the weather lately hasn’t been really great so I’ve been counting down the days until Spring comes and I can get back outside because being able to spend time in the fresh air really does work wonders on my mood and health!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted... attitude trumps situation .
That sounds amazing! It’s just starting to feel a bit more spring like here, bring on the start of March!
Love you mentioning your sweetheart in those short sentences, small details – love is in the air! (that’s all I can say) :)
Also your foods look divine! Want them all!
As for your question, I’m such a city girl, however I love wondering in the old city for hours, finding some new views, cafes and taking a break there.
I should do that tomorrow, if it won’t be freezing cold.
Have a wonderful weekend, beautiful!
Greta recently posted..Be a Thursday
Ooh hope that means love is in the air for you too! If I lived in a city then I would be exactly the same – I loved just wondering around NYC when we visited. I could happily go from cafe to cafe :-) You have a wonderful weekend too petal
Everything looks SO good! Loving that pancake:)
Ooh, I need to check out those candies, they sound fab! That raspberry and yoghurt combo sounds delicious too as does the courgette dish, right up my street… ad my favourite outdoor activity has to be riding!
I don’t really like Valentine’s either, it seems so forced. Glad you had a nice week off – and congratulations on the Sun piece! You looked gorgeous :-)
Was I in the Sun? Which one? I had no idea!
lovely post sweetie – that courgette/egg dish sounds lovely. I think the addition of garlic is a great idea….I often think cooked courgette tastes a bit fishy (!?!) so tend to stick to raw cougette….might give this combo a try though :-) I’m loving being outside lately too. I’m ready for a good dose of spring!! :-)
emma recently posted..My Favourite Things from the Last Few Weeks
Me too, bring on the sunshine!