Things you've missed!

Hello...!

Just wanted to briefly check in over here...just in case you hadn't reconnected with me on my new platform and was wondering where on earth i'd got to?  It's been a month since i've migrated now.

It seems that for some of you the transitions to my new feeds in your feed-readers hasn't been entirely smooth and hasn't happened automatically.  If that's you simply type my regular 'Including Cake' website URL on a new web page and you should come up with my new home ground, then paste this address directly into Feedly (or whatever you use). I mention Feedly as this is what I use and apparently for others that also use it, it still connected over here unless manually updated (or something like that...I'm trying to understand it all but it's still all a little over my head).

I also have good old email, RSS, all my social media...all that schabang! Whatever tickles your fancy really. Oh and if you don't follow me on Instagram already- hit me up there as I post lots of daily titbits and anything that inspires me. It's all good fun!

I'm off now....but here is a little preview of what you've been missing this last month.

I really hope you come to find me. xx

cookie dough ice pops

quick burger salad

lightened up shepherds pie

quinoa banana bread slice

strawberry balsamic baked oats

cabbage wraps

coconut water hydration smoothies

cauliflower pizza base

Sweet cauli-pizza

amazing!!!

chocolate cherry pots....!

An ode to Dad (and a recipe roundup!)

On the eve of Father's Day ...a little poem :-)

My Dad and I

My dad and I we think alike,
He knows just what I mean
Before I even say a word
He reads just in between.

My dad and I we like to dream
Inspire each other on.
Reminding me what I can achieve,
Beyond my comfort zone.

My dad and I like to pretend,
That we follow with the crowd.
But it’s finding our own direction
That makes me stand so proud.


In the months after I turned to a plant based lifestyle and began this blog back in August 2011, my dad took an active interest in what I was doing. Most of those in my life, supported me and were happy to share my meals and were even intrigued by my recipes, but had no real inclination to change anything for themselves. That was cool, there was no pressure there and that was never my direct intention as I transitioned through this stage in my life. But if people decide to question their own 'habits' and ingrained ways of doing things after having seen the changes I have made and the impact on my life then that gives me a huge amount of joy.

My dad went this one step further, he embraced the plant based lifestyle as I did and has since been my biggest ally... constantly reading, researching and buying the newest book out on the market. In moments when my mind may have faltered or I felt as though being 'different' is too hard, I always have my dad to support me and whether he knows it or not that support means the world.

So today, on the eve of Fathers's Day, a little recap of some of his favourite recipes from the blog.  (plus scroll down for a little giggle...)


To all your dad's out there....enjoy your day tomorrow! 

Chocolate orange smoosh bars... the original and best!

Everyone loves a good roast....these lentil balls make a perfect meal!

A 'throw it together' protein packed meal...topped with cashews!

Soup...any kind really (this is my favourite)

A veggie tart is always a winner with guests 

Banana bread 
(ok I cheated- I added this for me...but everyone loves banana bread right!!)

For a final giggle... last weekend I emailed my dad to ask him what 'his 3 favourite foods' were. In my head I was anticipating he would answer with sweet, nutty or fruity things as I was thinking along the lines of making him a special cake or desert of some sort for Father's Day. 

However, due to my somewhat vague question, the response I received was (I quote) "mushrooms, jacket potato, beans"  ha ha, that would make some amazing cake!!  Hmmm, i'm still thinking what do with that response so you'll have to wait to next week to see what happened. :-)

Food for fitness... the training mentality!

It’s now less than two weeks till my Tough Mudder event.  To say I’m terrified is probably an understatement!  

Reality hit me even more so this last weekend as I took a trip to the seaside...

...Not your typical seaside visit!

Swimming in ‘freezing’ (ok well pretty cold) murky sea water and running a few miles along the beach in ankle deep water to train with water resistance, running with wet feet and getting cold.

It was not nice. Though I was glad I did it as it gave me peace of mind that my feet could cope with being wet and gritty...my trusty Fivefingers were comfy throughout.

My mum and cousins made sandcastles on the beach with the kids and 'buried' the dog whilst they waited for me.... a slight contrast!

My posts over these next two weeks may take an ever cleaner twist to my usual as I need to focus in on fuelling and hydrating my body more intensely.  Even though the recipes I post are all pretty healthy, they don’t always contain the proportions of proteins/fats/carbs and 'training fuels' that i’m aiming for right now and more than that, when i’m in recipe testing mode I can sometimes eat quite a lot! Particularly if I make a large batch of something or there are experiments that have gone wrong and are not blog worthy (but not ‘wrong’ enough for the bin).

Right now, I need to get completely focussed.

I have a few recipes that I have made but not yet posted, so not everything will necessarily be super clean :-)

Here is a sneak preview to forthcoming recipes...

For now, a few more photos and links to a few of my favourite Fit-Foods for fuel and endurance!

creamy quinoa porridge

chocolate boost mousse

Super green smoothie

Chia soft serve

Lentil and peanut dip

PB&J no bake bars

Just in case you'd like to sponsor me for my Tough Mudder challenge, here is the link to the team I am part of, all sponsorship is in aid of Help For Heroes. :-)

Whole Foods Lent Challenge....Done! (plus Easter roundup)

This weekend it is Easter....and today is Good Friday meaning that it is the last day of lent.

My congratulations to all those who challenged themselves for the last 6-weeks regardless of whether you teamed up with me to take the 'Whole Foods Challenge' or whether you opted for a personal challenge of your own...if you've made it this far I applaud you!

You may remember that as part of the challenge I decided that I was going to go sugar free in all my baking endeavours...well I can tell you now that it has been a resounding success. I admit that I was a little nervous to begin with and I worried that there would be a lot of savoury recipe being posted on my blog... ha ha! But with the miracle food that is dates, I was not at a loss at all.

In fact I see no reason to change my ways. I am more than happy to continue with this mindset. That said, I am not going to restrict myself in that if I come up with a recipe that is clearer more suited to using a little agave or maple syrup then I am happy to use it, it's just been great to move away from relying on these sweeteners day to day.

I have also now updated the Lent Challenge 2013 menu tab. As well as going sugar free I also decided to give myself the further challenge of '6-weeks to 6-pack'...that did not go so well... see the link to check it out (or scroll towards the bottom for the outcome highlights). I have more ideas up my sleeve for all that.... I will not be beaten!

So for today I simply have a roundup.... the summary of my 'sweet' sugar free experiments are listed below with my three favourites picked out, followed by a visual roundup of Easter themed recipes.

I will have one final Easter post going up tomorrow...its a speedy single serve recipe perfect for a last minute celebration!

I am also going away on holiday to trek the Welsh mountains for all of next week and I don't know how plugged in to the internet i'll be whilst away. Hopefully i'll be able to keep an eye on things but I apologise now if there is a delay in reply to emails or comments. I have a few posts scheduled to keep you going in the meantime.

A sweet summary of my sugar free challenge!

(they look so good I can barely believe it myself!)

Healthy Cadbury's Cream eggs (favourite)

Buckwheat Balls

Quinoa powder breakfast Cakes

Green smoothie peppermint cheesecake (favourite)

Choc berry buckwheat bake

Chewy choc quinoa cookies (favourite)

Whipped buckwheat porridge

Chocolate almond crackles

Gingerbread ice cream

Chewy buckwheat clusters

CADA...zing!

Baked apple oatmeal with date sugar

Date sugar

 An offering of Easter recipes...

This obviously had to go in!
Healthy Cadbury's Cream eggs

Hot choc cream cups

Classic Easter biscuits

I know you see these truffles everywhere....but they are so good!

angel delight

raw carrot cake balls

carrot cake pancakes

choc covered hazelnuts

carrot burgers...these are a reader favourite

chia banana pudding

healthy banana frosting

quinoa balls

...and just for giggles...!

Easter bunnies....ok they look a bit ridiculous I admit!

Valentine’s roundup!

So soon off the back of Pancake Day comes Valentine’s Day! Will you be celebrating?

I don’t go in for Valentine’s in a big way, even when in a relationship it’s not really my thing...huge romantic gestures on a specific day of the year that is so heavily marketed and hyped up doesn’t really do it for me... That said I am a bit of a romantic but a moment of spontaneous expression or subtle gestures of love are much more meaningful! 

Don’t get me wrong, I'm not a total cynic and a little bit of love any day of the year can never be a bad thing. I love this photo- some may have already seen it up on my Facebook page, it was taken along the cliffs in Ireland last year.... a little reminder from nature if ever it were needed.

Plus when it comes to valentines day, any excuse for a little treat is always welcome and when that little treat can be a healthy indulgence all the better.  So today I wanted to give you a little round up of my Valentine themed recipes and some others from around the web that have caught my eye. I know these aren't all fitting with my Whole Foods Lent Challenge (though many of mine are pretty close and could easily be adapted if needed) but I was a little bit stumped in finding all sugar-free whole food recipes!!

At least this time I am only eating them with my eyes!  My first proper 'whole foods' sugar post will be with you on saturday.

Let me know how you spent your Valentine’s... loved up or otherwise. :-)

hot choc banana cream cups 

chocolate pepermine no bake bars

Chocolate orange cupcakes  (healthy frosting!)

berry oat cups

chocolate mousse pie

buckwheat breakfast bowl 

5 min- choc orange puddle cake

More inspiration from around the web, with thanks the Pinterest. Remember love is not just for Valentines Day! Show some spontaneous foodie love all year round :-)  P.S these recipes are not necessary vegan but are simply to give you inspiration to make your own versions to suit. Credits below each.

P.S you can follow me on Pinterest here!

red velvet heart pancakes by Be Different Act Normal

Choc filled strawberries by Lily Shop

the perfect pear by Lily Shop

chocolate mousse cookies by Style Me Pretty