3 Ingredient Protein Balls.

Hello … 

Today I am going to share a completely tempting snack that will have your mouth watering in seconds.

I often want to snack on something sweet in between meals and keeps me going until I sit down to chomp away on the next main meal of the day. Sometimes it can become scary if there isn't anything healthy of hand, which can result in me reaching for absolutely any sweet treat at hand.

Overtime I have learnt that it is easy to avoid unnecessary calories and to only eat when needed and to not go overboard with your food for the day.

These scrumptious almond and date protein balls are so simple to make and easy to make in bulk, so that there are always some ready on hand. These completely natural balls, taste almost similar to the ones that you would buy in a health food shop.

All you need is a nut butter of your choice, dates and almond meal - blitz everything together in a food processor and then start rolling those balls!

3 Ingredient Protein Balls 

1/2 cup dates 

1/2 cup almond meal 

1/4 cup nut butter 

Add all of the ingredients into a food processor. Blend on high speed until everything is slightly clumped together. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of your hands, give it a good squeeze to ensure that everything sticks together, then proceed to roll in a circular motion to form a ball. 

Store in an air tight container in the fridge.

I hope you give these Protein Balls a whirl and spice up the flavours with different flavoured nut butters, blitz in some nuts instead of rolling or adding in some dark chocolate chips as a naughty extra! 

Bon Appétit! 

M x 

52 Lists: things that remind you of home #3

Hello all, 

It is 8pm and I am sat at my desk trying to finish the my last school assignment whilst listening to the thunder rumbling fiercely, the rain tinkling on the windows and seeing the lights flickering in the background. So as it has been a ritual for many months already I thought why not procrastinate a little on my final project and come and write a list for you. 

Today is another list that is everything that reminds you of home … so lets get the ball rolling!

52 Lists: Everything that reminds you of home

1. Home cooking

2. The smell of food cooking or sweets rising and baking

3. Smiles 

4. Everyones humour = Laughter 

5. The continuous support 

6. Pizza nights 

7. Watching Emmerdale (soap drama) after tea with my mum 

These were a few of the things that reminds me of home, however being put on the spot to think about these points is actually quite difficult - so I tried my best! 

M x 

52 Lists: The things to do on a rainy day #2

Hello all, 

Long time no speak … whilst I can only give so many more excuses I have decided to update you with the fact that I only have 7 day left at school (woohoo!) + plus an exam, which is about a week after the final day. After this I have a lot of ideas, projects and lists of things in mind for when I am free as a butterfly. So please hang tight in the last few days for me organising all of my final assignments and exams revision, because I hope to be a regular blogger as soon as it hits the middle of November! I also have a little trip planned, which I will tell you about more at a later date. 

For now … another list! 

52 Lists: The things to do on a rainy day! 

1. Watch the rain trickle down the window. 

2. Read a book. 

3. Light a fire (Inside) 

4. Browse Pinterest wasting as many hours as humanly possible. 

5. Make a hot drink (chocolate, chai, coffee, etc). 

6. Make a list of absolutely anything. (future plans, shopping, ideas, projects, general to-do, etc.) 

7. Start writing a journal/diary. 

8. Bake something sweet and warm - Apple crumble Mmmm

9. Make a delicious meals - soup or a roast with vegetables my favourite! 

So these are a few of my favourite things to do when it is a drizzly rainy day outside and you are stuck on the inside. Comment down below what you love to and make sure to start making your own lists. 

Have a glorious Sunday and I will hopefully speak to you all some time soon. 

M x 

52 Lists: Your goals for the year #1

There is always a new project to get involved with, in the online blogging community, which can help you keep motivated during the days where you have a blogger-block. We all know that it happens and you are stuck as to what you want to create. It is a fantastic way of challenging you, finding inspiration and new blogs to follow. The project that I have recently discovered is 52 lists: A list a week for a year created by Made in Hunters.

Whilst this project was created a few months ago, potentially for the start of the year. I thought it would still be nice to jump on the list making board, give it a whirl and share with you 52 lists for the year. How awesome?!

I plan to post these every Sunday and even though it is not starting at the beginning of a new year, there are really only so many tomorrows or Monday's to say you are going to change or start something new, so why not do it right now.

Alright, so who doesn't like writing a good old list in the first place? I sure do, I cannot remember how many lists I have made over the last few years and I don't think I want to know- hahah, so lets get cracking with first one of the 52.

Original Source 

Week 1: List your goals for the year: 

1. Practice taking more creative pictures with my DSLR or phone camera. 

2. Try to stay more positive. 

3. Be healthy and fit to the extent of just feeling happy with myself, stop comparing myself with other, because as cheesy at the statement is we were all made to be different. (See the image above!)

4. To feel more confident with who I am. 

5. Continue studying, volunteer and complete work experience(s) to help achieve my career goals.

6. Focus working on my blog to express my love for food, lifestyle and travel. 

7. To enjoy adventure and try new opportunities and food.
8. Complete every project/ task to the best standard I can potentially achieve - with a professional and creative result. 

If anyone has previous started this project or would like to start it, then comment down below your lists so everyone can have a browse.

Have a wonderful happy Sunday! 

M x 

Peanut Butter Granola Clusters.

Hello, 

The great news about this granola is that refined sugars are long gone in this recipe, making it a gluten free vegan everyday snack. The granola clusters are slightly sweet, satisfyingly crunchy and a burst of pea nutty goodness in each bite. The centres should be semi-soft which should occur during the baking and resting process, because the worst moment is diving into a bowl full of scrumptious granola and not being able to even hear your own thoughts. However, the crunch is part of the whole experience, am I right? So maybe a little bit of silence is ok every now and then. 

You can used the base ingredients from this recipe and then simply spice it up with your own favourite ingredients according to your own tastes. I settled with this peanut butter granola first because it’s;

1. Amazing clusters every time
2.    Raspberries and yoghurt are its best friends along with banana and honey
3. ‘Easy peasy’ to make
4.  Dam straight delicious
5. Bakes beautifully 
6. Makes your kitchen smell like home baked magic 

A handful of these bad boy clusters make a perfect snack and are begging for you grab them out of jar and a lot of the time you will find your self bursting into the jar and digging your way to the bottom. Every bite should explode of pure goodness in your mouth every single time.

I served mine with thick and creamy greek yoghurt, which tastes as though you are eating pure thickened cream only healthier and somewhat better. I love adding fruit with mine; raspberries, blueberries and bananas are all perfect with a drizzling of honey (or vegan alternative).

This has been my go-to breakfast for a couple of years and there are seriously so many different combinations. Even if you can't get around to making a batch of granola at home the supermarkets offer an extensive range, however we all know that baking from scratch at home is truly satisfying and it makes the home smell and feel welcoming and cosy. 

I seem to have tried many recipes for muesli and granola over the time of discovering this creation, and I am pleased with the end results that this recipe is going to remain in my 'handful' of top breakfast recipes.

 So say hello to oats, whole flour, double peanut butter and nut goodness, plus the gang of additional ingredients that are going to blow your mind once baked.

Recipe
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups wholegrain Rolled Oats. (use GF is required)
1 cup of Peanuts (you can use honey roasted, salted or unsalted and chop if you want but not necessary)
3/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3/4 cup Natural Peanut Butter
2/3 cup Rice Malt Syrup
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Almond Milk

Method: 
1. Preheat the oven to 180-degrees and line a cookie pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the oats, nuts, flour, baking power and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to peanut butter, rice malt syrup, vanilla and milk until smooth. Pour the wet mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
3. Pour the granola mixture on the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 15 minutes, stir once. Bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown. Leave the granola out for around 1-2 hours to cool, cluster and crunchify.
4. Serve on yoghurt with fruit or milk, or just as a cluster snack.

NOTES:
- Sprinkle with a dash of sea salt once cooled for extra zing of sweet and salty taste.
- You can customise the flavours according to your tastes. For example, use different nuts, nut butters and sweeteners. An alternate flavour combo could be 'almond honey' including almonds, almond butter, with honey and brown rice syrup. Mmmm


I hope you are all having a glorious week and make sure to follow me on all my social media links, so if you decide to recreate any of the recipes I post, you can easily tag me and I can like them all!

Bon Appétit! 

M x