Beef & Broccoli Soup

Death by assignment, send help! Why is the end always the hardest! Its been a long, grey, wet day which has not helped my mood but this bowl of goodness sure has. I love steak; I'm not talking T bone nor am I talking sirloin; I am talking Rump! Yes, I am a rump steak kind of girl and tonight I've treated myself to some hearty steak and broccoli soup for dinner.

3 reasons why I love broccoli: It's a very good source of dietary fiber (aids digestion and prevents constipation whih is ideal for IBS),  Broccoli is also a good source of protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin B1, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium. Of all the vegetables from the Brassica family, broccoli is the cutest., I mean, it looks like a mini tree; a very nutritious one that. This is an easy way to feed the whole family and keep warm on a cold, rainy spring day.

Chicken & Green Bean Curry

It seems I have lost all motivation when it comes to revision and so I turned my focus to cooking instead this evening. There is nothing quite like a delicious chicken curry to get your mood up after a long day of schooling. The British Heart Foundation publish some awesome, nutritious recipes on their website and yes you've guessed it; that's where I found this little gem of a recipe. 

I'm more than willing to cook up anything that's curry related, the flavour and aroma keeps me going back for more. I did tweak the recipe a little but this is due to my rather fussy palate. This chicken & green bean curry is absolutely delightful; a dish that the whole family can enjoy.

Benefits of eating Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the most nutrient-dense foods around and are also one of my favourite foods to eat. As you may have noticed on my Instagram, I especially love having them in my Oat breakfast bowls alongside a variety of fruits every morning so as to yield better nutrition. Blueberries are a 'superfood' that contains a tremendous amount of antioxidants. These tiny balls of goodness are super tasty and offer numerous health benefits.

Easter Weekend Hiking 2017: Pen y Fan, Wales

Now, I'm not one for hiking because I am absolutely terrified of heights but I was manipulated over the Easter break by my friends to climb Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales standing at 886 metres above sea level. This was my first time hiking and boy, it was not easy. Only one thing left to say, what an experience! the sweat, the muscle cramps and the tears were all worth it as I have never been prouder of myself with the exception of my graduation 2 years ago. On this day, my afro was out with a vengeance.

The paths to the top are good and the view you get from the top of this mountain is absolutely incredible. As you can imagine, you're standing at the top of a mountain so watch out for the winds; they are fairly strong and that can be dangerous. Ensure you dress appropriately, well warm; have a little something to snack on in your backpack if you wish and comfortable shoes are a must. This is a challenging walk if you're a first time hiker like me so toughen up, get the heart rate going and stay hydrated. This is one view you'll never forget.

Spring Garden

It's actually been a really nice, sunny day. What sorcery is this? I started off with Chemistry presentation this morning on Thalidomide and whether it should be reintroduced for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma. It went really well, a lot better than I was expecting and I'm so glad that's out of the way. The past few hours of my life have been filled with nothing but excitement. I've been sitting at this same desk revising for my Biochemistry exam on Tuesday, ah the joys of being a student. One can never attain too much knowledge. Today's outfit was rather playful; when you take life too seriously you tend to forget to appreciate the little things. And so let's take a moment to appreciate these adorable heart tights from Spreepicky, I have a new found love for cute socks and pretty tights. Anything but plain. 

*Pique Tea: Sencha green, Earl grey & Jasmine

It's not every day that I receive a cute little gift all the way from San Francisco. I'm an avid fan of all things tea so thank you to the team at Pique Tea for this sweet little sample. Here's how to make tea the Pique way; just add water and voila, drink away. As you can imagine, I was a bit dubious about this new way of tea consumption, so much so that I had to do my own digging first. It's quite remarkable just how water soluble these crystals are, they made the whole tea-making process effortless. Pique tea has definitely revolutionised the way we drink; the main reason being their tea's crystallised form. Their teas are organic and taste rather exceptional. One of the main reasons why I love and drink tea so much is because of the health benefits it offers. I'm sure you're already aware that tea can improve your skin and it has less caffeine than coffee.

Tea also reduces Cortisol levels; cortisol being the stress hormone that contributes to belly fat. According to a study conducted in 2007, daily tea consumption for six weeks is likely to help your cortisol levels drop back to normal faster. Pique tea has zero sugar, comes in natural flavours, is full of flavonoids also known as catechins and has some important amino acids. This is no doubt the quickest cup of tea I've ever made. Even though convenience is great, I'm all about the taste.

Beef & Brocoli Casserole

Now that we've established the fact that I cook way too many casseroles; lets make it official. It might be an idea to create a Casseroles category on this blog; it will be so much easier for you casserole lovers to find my recipes. Anyway, I decided to make a casserole this evening because they are super convenient. As I'm coming to the end of my course, I barely have any free time and so cooking in bulk saves me having to cook the next day or two. This nutrient packed casserole is a great way to get in your five a day from just one dish; of course it wouldn't hurt to throw in a fruity desert. Not fond of brocoli? No problem, the spices I use in this will completely change your outlook on the smallest trees nature has to offer.

*My ZAFUL Summer Wishlist

                                             
Summer is slowly creeping up and the weather is getting warmer; cute summer dresses and floral skirts will make up the frontline of my summer wardrobe. I've recently come across Zaful (an online store) and I'm completely smitten with just how cute their clothes are. Of course I had to do a little digging of my own just for my own peace of mind. A few bloggers I'm familiar with have purchased from zaful with good feedback that's pretty reassuring. My first pick is that Floral cami sundress which features a spaghetti strap collar line and flared skirt. The dress looks light and cheery, one perfect for a hot summer's day. My second pick is that Abstract print a-line dress, we all love a bit of monochrome. This is the kind of dress you can take straight into autumn by swapping bare legs for a cute pair of sheer white tights.

Grilled Curried Mackerel

Mackerel is one of the most consumed fish all over the world and just so happens to be one of the healthiest when baked, steamed or grilled. It's packed with a high amount of protein, omega-3-fatty acids and lowers risk of diabetes. Mackerel contains healthy fats including monounsaturated fatty acids which play a role in controlling blood sugar levels and prevention. These are just some of Mackerel's health benefits, there's more. Have a read of different Dietitian blogs and health and well being websites; they provide an insight into food science and it's a big ol' world. 

*Mr Lee's Noodles #3: Penang Chicken Curry Laksa

Exam season means less time to cook up my favourite meals; well Mr Lee's Noodles to the rescue. I tried out their Penang chicken curry laksa and it was definitely satisfying. I'm a huge fan of spicy food and so I was really sure how I'd feel about medium spicy. Well, I can safely say that this medium spicy flavour tasted rather exceptional. Let me refresh your memory:Mr Lee's noodles are Gluten Free, Not artificial which can only mean that they are the real deal and 100% recyclable. They are also low in saturated fats, calories, sugar and salt. Why not avoid unhealthy snacking & take out this exam season? Say goodbye to hidden sugars; 3 minutes is all the time you need to enjoy this delicious bowl of noodles

Daydreams & Ice-creams

Good day earthlings and Happy new month! I finish my course in just 4 weeks and so as you can imagine I'm under a lot of pressure not to mention stress. I can't even believe that I've pulled through all those long nights and rendevous' with good ol' Chemistry; my goodness. I'm currently buried under a huge pile of books & will be until early June as I've got a few exams and practical assessments coming up plus assignments that are due in. Yes, this is my life at the moment *wah wah* so please bear with me whilst I try to catch up with all my posts. I've got some great summer recipes to share with you as well as some cool outfits; I'm currently collaborating with a few Chinese brands so lot's of blogger mail coming my way. It seems throwing some space buns into the mix can work wonders, now I don't feel so bad for being such a tiny human.

Douwe Egberts Smooth Caramel Coffee Review

When opened; a pleasant, strong scent fills the room and there is nothing I'd like to smell more first thing in the morning. This is the only coffee I truly enjoy; my only bother is that the whole family including some of my friends love this coffee which means that it vanishes rather quickly. Please stop stealing my coffee guys! I am in no way, shape or form a coffee addict but unfortunately this is the one coffee I can't resist. It contains very few calories and so it can be enjoyed guilt free. Douwe Egberts smooth caramel coffee tastes fantastic. With its warm, creamy flavour and gorgeous aroma, you'll be sure to keep going back for more.