The Weekly Eats

So along with all its positivity and possibility, like a slap in the face, the new year has brought with it the crushing reality that it's time to put down the glass of Prossecco and step away from the box of miniature heroes before it really is too late. 

I am the type of person (along with the majority of the population it seems) that uses the new year as an excuse for the typical "new year, new me" behaviour, which includes: dusting off the old gym membership, buying a new diet cook book and making dramatic statements such as "I'm never eating pizza again" (sure...). The most drastic of these was the time that I ordered a cross trainer on New Years Day, possibly still under the influence of alcohol, which is currently in my spare room serving its useful job as a clothes horse... 

I'm hoping that this year might be a little different. Yes, I have the new cook book and I miiiiight have bought some nice (perhaps a tad expensive) new gym kit for a bit of motivation... but I have decided to try and take a different approach for 2016 - there is no point in setting yourself unrealistic goals just to feel let down and disappointed if you don't reach them. 

As I stated in my previous post, this year I am going to focus on eating home cooked, nourishing food rather than attempting a stupid diet or cutting out every yummy food under the sun just to be totally miserable. To help me stay motivated and inspired - and possibly even inspire others - I thought it might be a fun idea to keep a food diary of sorts each week to show the types of things that I (well, mainly my boyfriend) cook to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle (most of the time!) 

So without further a due, lets get cracking with the first weeks eats! 

TUESDAY

Starting the week strong with a dish from Jamie Oliver's Superfood, adapted to include sweet potato mash for a much needed energy boost after the first day back at work. Really filling and lots of flavour from the feta cheese and homemade pesto.

WEDNESDAY

A really delicious and comforting dinner of homemade tomato and pepper soup with feta and coriander sprinkled on top. We had leftover pesto from the night before so we couldn't resist to have it with some crusty bread! You could make this dish even healthier by choosing wholewheat bread or ditching it altogether if you were feeling really good. We had tonnes of soup left, perfect to have for lunches or freeze for a later date.
Side note - how cute is the little soup bowl my mum got me for Christmas?

THURSDAY

Now Thursday evening is basically the start of the weekend, and that calls for something extra tasty for dinner.  This burger is perfect as you still feel like you are being a bit naughty without the added refined carbs. The recipe was taken from Paleo Monday to Friday  and although the added Mozarella cheese does not make the dish Paleo, it offers a healthier option and solves the problem of the dreaded bread bloat.

FRIDAY

Homemade pork meatballs with spinach pasta was the perfect dish for the end of a long week. Not the healthiest, but definitely better than ordering a takeaway which used to be a must on a Friday night in our house. The dish is a great treat with the added bonus that you know exactly what ingredients have gone in it.

Looking back, it has been quite a meat heavy week so my focus for the next week is to cut back and up the veggie intake!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I would love to know your meal ideas as I am always looking for new inspiration!

Becki xx 

For the love of Coffee

This is a basically just a coffee appreciation post which I am thinking about making a regular thing. I know that other coffee lovers out there will agree that nothing compares to a well made cup of joe (do people actually call it that??) so a review of different coffee places each week might be helpful to others or at least will just give me an excuse to drink more of the good stuff.

I love nothing more than heading out on a Saturday morning (who am I kidding, usually afternoon) to go and feed my coffee habit. So this Saturday off we went on a 'long' walk with the promise of a coffee and perhaps a sweet treat at the end of it. Before we set off we had researched a few places as I wanted to try somewhere I hadn't been before. Our intentions were good, however once again the british weather had other ideas and we found ourselves ducking for shelter in the nearest Cafe Nero, soaked to bone and I'll admit quite hangry on my part... 

So although the coffee snob in me didn't get to try out the latest beans at a small hipster, no doubt over priced cafe, I have to say that Cafe Nero does a damn fine Cappuccino and much to my boyfriends relief, a selection of pastries that caught my eye - because what's to complain about when you are demolishing a croissant?  

Start the year as you mean to go on...

I have decided that for me, 2016 is going to be all about staying active, eating nourishing, home cooked food and spending time with friends and family. 

I could think of no better way to start the new year than a big dog walk to build an appetite for a delicious steak pie (and my dad's legendary mash potato) with my family. 

Now the beverage isn't exactly healthy but who could say no to a glass of champagne??? 

What do you have planned for 2016? 

xx

NYE

Daisy Street boots, River Island top, Accessorize bag, New Look necklace, Laura Mercier lipstick

One of my new years resolutions is to make more time for my blog and what better way to start 2016 than with my first (questionable) attempt at an outfit post. 

NYE is all about getting super glam to bring in the new year (start as your mean to go on!). My plans for the evening consisted of a lovely dinner with my boyfriend and then off to the pub to drink (too much) fizz with friends, so I needed an outfit that was going to be versatile. I actually ended up changing into black jeans along with ankle boots for the pub as the typical Edinburgh winter weather defeated me, however I loved that the top could be both dressed up and slightly dressed down. 

I definitely wear black more than I should but I think the classy all black along with the pop of colour in the necklace and lipstick really makes this outfit something a bit special for the occasion. 

I love the combination of the knee high boots, tassels and big curly hair which I think gives the look a slight sixties feel. 

Happy New Year. I hope 2016 will be the best year yet!