Inspired in June

June =  half way through the year = crazy!

This month hasn't been so much different to last in terms of its craziness although at least the whole birthday thing is somewhat now in the distance (not that I am wishing it away, just the pressure that accompanied it). I still have a few plans on horizon and achievements to be fulfilled but I'm putting myself under that little bit less pressure now.

It's been an 'up and down' month emotionally, I'm not sure why but I seem to keep beating myself up about at about a lot of things which is frustrating, so I think a little time out is in order. Some kind of meditation retreat may be on the cards, if any of you ever been on a retreat please let me know how it went for you?

So the biggest achievements this month?  Apart from my Tough Mudder (which I have already talked enough about!!) My other little achievement actually happened just last week when I gave my first official presentation in the corporate world to talk about plant based nutrition and healthy baking to a small office group as part of their 'wellness month'. I gave a cooking demo (this recipe if your are curious) and a little talk about me and my blog and then handed out plenty of tasters that I'd prepared just before I arrived. It went really well and I had such a buzz for ages afterwards... I love it when people are so inspired to try something new!

So, now here is June…the best bits! 

Just kinda loved these apples dancing about the bowl

Yet to be blogged...but you will love it! (yes it involved quinoa)

My first fresh figs

Birthday trip in London...beautiful sunlight.

Lovely new snacks to try... choc coated pumpkin was the best!

still on my London trip- no need of explanation ;-)

Vegan buffet cafe with the family- yum!

Experiment with sweet polenta

Yet to try it out but excited to do so!

Choc mint 'smoosh' bars... part of my Wholeplus collection

Setting up my Father's Day card

Twist on the original breakfast cookie using quinoa!!

Loving the coconut water.

First home grown pak choi

I was just in time for vegan pizza day with a sweet version.

Tough Mudder...just emerged from the ice swim

Tough Mudder... Just crossed the finish line!

Come fine me find me here on Instagram!

Inspired in April

Well, that was cheeky...May just snuck up on me without so much as a warning, I felt sure there was at least a week of April left!

Well it’s no all bad, actually not bad at all. May is an awesome month...not least because it’s my birthday in less that 2 weeks time! Also spring is here bringing with it blue skies and sunshine (if still pretty chilly) and last but not least also because this May looks set to pretty scary and exciting in equal measures with the launch of my new fitness product range.... and more intense Tough Mudder training.

What is the meaning of life if not scary and exciting?

The latest developments also means I’ve hit a little secret ultimatum I had set myself. Anyway, I will no doubt filling you in on all that very soon, but for now...here is my little Instagram inspired round up of April.

leaping on the beach...living life! 

Driving along the beach at sunset...bliss

beautiful views across the Welsh hills

Smoothie time...really getting into them now!

couldn't resist...they were on sale. 

pretty spoons...a present from my dad

more spoon (this time a present to myself)

Green stuff!

My new feet...getting Tough Mudder ready

blue skies 

A bowl of oatmeal...how on earth did this one sneak in ;-)

getting ready for the product launch.

You can find me on Instagram here!

Inspired in February!

Gosh this year is flying by…it's March already and so that means Spring is round the corner. As much as I enjoy a cold crisp Winter day I am much more a fan of the warmth and more importantly longer days, lighter mornings and better photography conditions! Bring on the sunshine!!

So, this month…another eventful one. Much still to be revealed but it's all moving in the right direction. I've begun teaming up with a few different people on a more formal basis who believe and support me in what I do, I hope this will really help give me the push and the confidence I need to make 'everything' happen. 

I have teamed up with these guys over at Real Food Source in a business venture in developing allergy free chocolate bars and paleo energy bars (to be on sale soon!), all the photography in their shop has also been taken by me. I also continue to write recipe blog posts for them and I have been doing for a number of months now....have a little browse.

I have teamed up with these guys at the Spine and Wellness Centre to offer nutritional and wellness options to their clients…still early days on this as yet!

I have begun working with a couple of the gyms I am involved with to develop and sell and range of "healthy' fitness bars using natural whole foods and cutting out the crap found in the usual commercial bars….for those who have been following my '6-weeks to 6-pack challenge' will have seen the comments that said 'sample testing' in my food diary…these are what the samples were for. I won't go into detail quite yet, but I promise you I will soon.

So all in all busy bus busy, and most importantly for a girl who quit her job at the end of last year, things seem to beginning to come together nicely. Just need to keep the overwhelm under control….small steps!

This month in pictures. You can follow my Instagram here! (i'd love to see you.)

My Valentine's hot chocolate cream cups went down a treat!

a few recipes testing photos...combinations labelled up.

Dinner and cards at a country pub with friends

A walk in Derbyshire at early dusk

Holiday with friends...we got a little jigsaw obssessed!

quinoa addition to my usual oatmeal

sugar free chocolate crackles- on the blog soon!

Recipe tests for Real Food Source 

Spring is coming...snowdrops!

Dare sugar....my new favourite thing.

Friends recenlty engaged taken on holiday in Derbyshire

Cooking with lots of quinoa

The Real Food Source 'free- from' chocolate to test

Pallette of whole food goodies delivered

Buckwheat has a been a favourite for me this month.

Homemade almond milk for my oatmeal

Inspired in January

What a difference a month makes!

So far this year I have quit my job in architecture (although that was technically the end of last year), taken on a small part time job working in gym, with potential nutrition opportunities coming up there also…(watch this space), begun re-developing this blog behind the scenes- more on that very soon, have begun collaborating with another company to develop a range of healthy vegan whole food bars (more on that soon too)...

and….last but not least I have completed my Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition with the T. Colin Campbell Foundation, delivered by eCornell. I learnt so much more about my choice of lifestyle and how to benefit most fully from it, and help others to understand more also. My learning will no doubt continue and over the coming weeks and months I will reflect these thought within my blog. Any questions, please ask!

So much going on (bringing both excitement and overwhelm) but for now sit back and enjoy this months round up.

a walk along the cliffs at New Year

My slight obsession with roasted cauliflower salads!

The bridge across the snowy field- my old work place

CADA- zing (post coming soon)

  

Prepping the CADA

pretty lentils ready for the pan...another slight obsession!

first ever time tasting!

my 'manifesto' goes up on my bedroom wall

snowy fields guide my walk home from work

first attempt making date sugar

gingerbread sauce- this months best invention!