DIY - Lunchbox Cool Packs

Hello

Questions of the day...

Do you take your own lunch to work? (me too)
Do you have a fridge? (Yes? Lucky you. I worked in an office without a fridge for years)
Is your fridge crammed with 50 other lunchboxes as everybody takes their lunch to work? (I feel your pain!)
Do you always loose those little cool pack things?

Well, I am here to save the day! Whilst searching for more of those little lunchbox coolers, I stumbled across so many sites with the same "recipe" for making your own. Perfect for me as I am totally likely to lose these as the summer progresses so it's both cheap and easy to make more!

DIY Lunch Box Cool Packs

Cost : approx £1 for 3

Here's how:

Get yourself equipped with
- zip-lock sandwich bags
- washing up liquid
- a big mug (not essential)
- scales or a measuring cup (also not essential)
- your lunchbox (only if you're a bit OCD like me)

Put one of your sandwich bags into the cup and roll the top over. This prevents you getting washing up liquid all over the closure and the outside of the bag.

I wanted to make 3 coolers so I'm using scales to divide my washing up liquid in 3. You could also use a measuring cup or just go renegade and squeeze a random amount in.

Get squeezing! Once you have put in your desired amount, unroll the bag, lie flat and close the top. I'd recommend folding your bag in half (half with washing up liquid, half empty) so it's easier to get in your lunchbox once frozen. 

Or... do as I did... put your washing up liquid section into your actual lunchbox, so it freezes exactly the right size... I know. Its too much. But here are my 3, layered up and ready to freeze.

I'm looking forward to lots of lovely chilled lunches next week!

Lots of people have recommended these instead of expensive ice-packs for injuries too.

Let me know what you think.

Love

A

Clean Eating Progress

Hello

Its been a little while since I started my clean eating challenge - about 5 weeks.

I've been really happy with my progress so far. I've lost over 5 pounds and I feel like I have so much more energy every day.

I've not been perfect, it was Easter (I ate chocolate) and it was my birthday (I had a couple of cocktails, more chocolate and a lot of fun!) but keeping it clean overall has still had an impact.

It's made me branch out, try new things and learn a lot of new recipes! In the last 5 weeks, I have learned to make my own nakd bars, coconut truffles, chia pudding and learned what to do with coconut oil!

This week I have started a new adventure - signing up to London Muscle training and nutrition plan for the next 18 weeks. Wish me luck... I'll keep you updated.

Love

A

Eating Off Plan...aka Balance

Happy Easter!

After many years of crazy diets, no diets, and everything from deprivation to "fat acceptance" I have found a place where I feel pretty balanced with food. 

I know how to eat healthily (sometimes I need to use a tracker like myfitnesspal to keep that in check - you can still eat too much healthy food) but I also know it's OK to have a treat once in a while and enjoy life. It's important to be able to enjoy occasional treats without beating yourself up, and without it becoming an all-out falling-off-the-wagon week-long binge.

So yesterday I went into London with my step-daughter and we picked up carrot cake and red velvet cupcakes from the hummingbird bakery to enjoy today instead of an Easter egg.

The cakes here look AMAZING - check out the pics below. 

Have a happy Easter, enjoy a little indulgence.

Love 

A

HomeMade Nakd Bars - Pistachio & Cranberry

I saw these delicious Nakd bars on Charlie's website - The Kitchen Shed. She had loads of great recipes and since stumbling across these, I have been obsessed with trying them!

You can find the recipe here: The Kitchen Shed Nakd Bars

My track record with recipes I've found online has been a bit hit and miss but these looked so easy - how could they go wrong?

Just 3 ingredients - pistachios, cranberries and dates to bind them, pop them in a blender and you're done!

I think I might have blended mine for a bit too long, and they could do with a bit of shaping to make them look prettier. But they were delicious!!! Even my husband liked them - win!

I can't wait to try the Pina Colada ones next!

Love

A

Stocking Up

Today (enjoying a day off from work) I headed into town to stock up on food and ingredients for recipes. Here's most of what I got:

I went to a local independent health food shop to pick up some seeds, nuts and dried fruit and few things I wanted to try out new recipes. I also got some chia seeds (not in the picture) which I'm excited to try for breakfast tomorrow - post to follow!

Then I headed to our local market which is amazing! So much delicious fresh fruit & veg and a fraction of the supermarket prices. The cherry tomatoes (can't believe I didn't put these in the photo) are always super sweet and crisp. We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep, we can walk to the market from home, making us a little more eco-friendly too!

I also did a Tesco shop last night and got the rest of what I needed. So now the cupboards and fridge are stocked and ready, there are no excuses for not eating healthily!

What are your store cupboard staples?

Love

A

My 8 Week Challenge

Happy April!

I've set myself the challenge of making 2015 my healthiest year ever.

So far this year, I've been lucky enough to spend a fabulous Christmas with my husband and New Year with my family and gorgeous nephew. I had the fabulous experience of going to India for a week with work (incredible!) and taking my step daughter on her first holiday to Lanzarote. I've also got a new job with a great team who are very social (i.e. spending a lot of time in the pub!) and enjoying getting to know London with a great bunch of friends.

All in all, this has led to a few kilos which just won't shift. Thankfully my love of lifting and early morning workouts had meant there aren't a few more!

So, I have decided that for the next 8 weeks I will commit to cleaning up my diet (somewhere between clean eating, paleo, protein shakes and enjoying my life all at the same time), no alcohol and continuing to work out at my awesome gym.

So here goes nothing! I am excited about trying lots of new recipes and experimenting with my meals to keep things exciting!

Love

A