Eat Clean 2016! #3

Sunday 24 January 2016

Here's the 3rd installment of my Eat Clean 2016! journey and I am in full swing and starting to notice the changes :)

Below are a few of my meals from January. I have learnt over the past couple of weeks that seasoning is the key to a tasty meal and I usually add more than required which I think is absolutely making these dishes! Before I tended to air on the side of caution but I am becoming brave in my cooking and it's paying off.

 . Healthy fry up - scrambled egg, mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes . Roasted veggie & feta bake with salmon and lemon, bacon, mushroom sitr-fry . Chicken tikka salad . Tuna & Avocado salad .
. Broccoli and Stilton soup . Sausages & veggies in a tomato sauce . Homemade bunless burgers with brown rice & veggie stir-fry . Salted caramel granola .

Delicious!! 

More recipes coming soon - don't forget to follow me on Instagram :)

Salted Caramel Granola

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Last weekend I wanted to cook up a batch of tasty granola to top some Greek yogurt I was saving as a sweet treat. Trying to find something different from the norm but still "clean" was a challenge - I searched Pinterest for ages and then decided to amend some of the recipes I found.

This recipe too around 2 and a half hours but it was cooked in the slow cooker and my gosh it is delicious!!

Firstly I gathered my ingredients and slow cooker and set to work...

I added a bag of mixed unsalted nuts to my blended and gave them a quick whiz so they were still a bit chunky.

I then added 4 cups of oats and blended mixed nuts to my slow cooker (set on high) and mixed thoroughly.



In a microwave proof bowl I mixed cashew butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and salted caramel extract and sea salt and blitzed for 30 seconds  then whisked with a fork.

Next I poured over the wet mixture and added a packet of Nakd's Salted Caramel fruit & nut nibbles and gave it a good stir.



I then checked the granola at half hour increments until it was lovely and toasted golden brown.

Once cooked I spread the granola out on a lined baking tray to cool completely and just before transferring to my storage container I added a handful of dark chocolate chips.



I love this recipe so much - it tastes like Crunchy Nut Granola! I have used it on so many meals and snacks -  topped on porridge, Greek yogurt, added to a banana sandwich, in smoothies! The possibilities are endless!



Ingredients:

4 cups of rolled oats
1 bag of mixed unsalted nuts (blended to a chunky consistency) 
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil
1/2 cup of cashew butter
1/2 cup of maple syrup
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of salted caramel flavouring
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 bag of Nakd Salted Caramel fruit and nut nibbles
1 handful of dark chocolate chips (optional)

Method:

Blend nuts and add to slow cooker (high setting) with 4 cups of oats - mix well.

Add coconut oil, cashew butter, maple syrup, vanilla and salted caramel, sea salt to a microwave bowl and heat for 30 seconds - whisk with a fork.

Pour over oat and nut mixture, add Salted Caramel fruit and nut nibbles and combine.

Cook for 2-3 hours, stirring every half hour until golden brown.

Transfer to baking tray lined with parchment paper to cool.

Add dark chocolate chips and store in a sealed container.

 


Eat Clean 2016! #2

Sunday 17 January 2016

A couple of weeks ago I posted about the meals I had cooked so far during 2016 beginning my Eat Clean journey (well for this year at least).

I'm pleased to say that I am still going strong and have flourished with the aid of some new cookbooks and inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram.

I'm thoroughly enjoy cooking and testing out new recipes that are both healthy and nutritious is spurring me on (plus the extra energy from eating well!)

Below are pictures taken from my Instagram account where I try to post all my meals daily - I'm going to try and tie the pictures up with a blog post recipe soon so watch this space!!

. Meal Prep - egg muffins . Chicken and cashew stir fry . Turkey meatballs with tagliatelle . Chicken and Quinoa salad .
. Overnight Oats Smoothie . Cheesy Chicken and Chorizo with Spinach . Wrapless burrito . Scrambled egg, avocado, plum tomatoes .

I struggle with breakfast ideas and ideally would like things I can pack and take to work with me so any suggestions would be fab! I tend to be having Overnight Oat smoothies 3 times a week and forcing myself up early 2 days during the working week to make some eggs to mix things up a bit!

Recipes coming soon but if there is anything you've seen that you want me to prioritize just let me know in the comments below and I'll get them up asap!

Eat Clean 2016!

Saturday 2 January 2016

After a brief Christmas break I am back with an overview of my 2016 meals so far (yes it has only been 2 days!) 

. Welcome 2016 .  Sale buys - Jamie Oliver Mortar & Pestle, Breville Blend Active . Poached eggs for the 1st time . Cheesy cauliflower bites with jalapeno and bacon .

Me and my husband are making a conscious effort to eat "clean" this year and I have spent the 2-week break over the festive season reading some awesome cookbooks and getting some yummy recipes together ready to try in the New Year.

. Homemade tortilla chips . Fresh prawn salad with a curried yogurt dressing . Snack-time! Apple, banana and Whole Earth peanut butter. Eat Clean .

I read the Deliciously Ella book cover to cover in one day! It was so good and a really interesting read. It opened my eyes to a plant-based diet and although it wont work for me and my household personally it has motivated me to incorporate more meat-free meals into my week, so much so I have proposed #meatlessmonday

Stay tuned for some awesome recipes coming soon and don't forget to follow me on Instagram to see my day-to-day meals and snacks!
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