Trying to be Healthy: Snacks

Today I have a slightly different post, but none the less something that I love! Since starting university it has seemed so much harder to make sure I am both doing the amount exercise I am used to and also making healthy food choices. Many factors have meant I have had little control over both these aspects of my life. One key being paying to live in catered halls has meant I am slightly restricted on the amount of food options I have. Plus, sadly at the start of the year a recurring sports injury reared its ugly head again leaving me unable to run and do many sports so I’ve been slightly conscious of not overdoing exercise for fear of doing more lasting damage.

Healthy eating has always been very much on my radar and I am all for having some of ‘the bad’ stuff too in moderation. I always find my day seems to be much more productive if I can look forward to some kind of snack throughout the day. Working on an empty stomach does not suit me… cue a hangry Ella.

Therefore, I wanted to show you a few things I have got this week while food shopping and what I received in my Graze Box to have for my snacks.

In my graze box: Mango & Coconut Protein Yoghurt Topper with a Mango Coulis, Original Fruity Flapjack with dried apricot and seeds, Honeycomb Crunch with almonds and raisins, Peanut Butter and Pretzel Sticks.

I have just eaten the Flapjack which was absolutely delicious considering often I can’t stand dried fruit in flapjacks! I just love how easy your order is to manage with Graze allowing you to tailor your box to your needs, dietary requirements and how often you want a box delivered. The packaging is pretty insane too with individual pots that are perfect to take to the office or have on the go.

Food shopping: Banana Soreen Loaf, Jamie Oliver Tomato and Olive Quinoa, Kallo Paprika Ricecakes

The Soreen loaf got eaten up very quickly as it’s all squidgy and gooey but tastes very similar to my Mum’s homemade banana bread. I will definitely have to repurchase this as it is slightly better for you than a lot of other teatime treats. The mini lunchbox ones also look very appealing too! I have yet to try the Jamie Oliver quinoa but thought it was worth a try being on special offer. The Kallo ricecakes were also on special offer. These are spicer than I thought they would be. I have to say I do prefer the sweet ones in the range, but these are still delicious.

Did you like this post? Would you like to see more of this kind of thing?

April Favourites

It's so nearly the end of April. How?? So here are a few of my loves for April:

Jordans Muesli: I literally cannot get enough of muesli at the moment. I do find myself reaching for various mueslis and granolas over anything else for breakfast at the moment. I am always on the lookout for new mueslis to try. Sugar content has always been something that does concern me in cereals so I do like to look for the most natural and simple recipes I can.

Scholl Gel Activ Insoles for Flat Shoes*: I laughed when I started taking the pictures for this blog post as I realised in my excitement to test these insoles out I totally forgot to take any pictures before trashing the packaging. Oops!!... a rooky blogger error. I often find myself doing lots of walking and standing up while working so these have been amazingly comfortable and ideal for my flat feet for added support. Having sticky bottoms once in your shoes there is no slippage which can be so annoying. There are also various other types for heels and all shoe types so I may have to invest in a few more pairs.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Varnishes: This particular one is in the colour Lychee. A firm nail varnish favourite, and one that seems to have had a lot of use this month after lots of events. I am the worst person for chipping my nail varnish but somehow this one seems to last a little longer than many others. I love the formulation too so now I find using normal nail varnishes a tad strange.

Witch Blemish Gel: This has done the trick after cleaning my skin for any stubborn red patches and spots overnight. I love the smell of witchhazel and this just seems so calming, but also allows my skin to breathe too.

Ella and Rose Patchouli and Vanilla Body Butter: I think I originally bought this from a supermarket with no real expectations. The smell of this is amazing, I’m not a massive a fan of vanilla, and seems to linger even once absorbed into the skin. The texture is quite creamy which I find means you don’t need much and sorts those troublesome drier areas out.

*Kindly gifted by Bzzagent

Time Bomb Powerball Intensive Moisturiser

Don’t you love it when you find products you thought you’d lost? I was first gifted the Time Bomb Powerball Intensive Moisturiser* very soon after it was first released. At the time I had many other moisturisers I needed to use up first and having never heard of Time Bomb it this was unfortunately put to the back of my shelf.

What is so striking on first appearance of the Powerball is the simple white, ball-shaped packaging which is not overstated. However, the Powerball aims to defeat dehydration causing ageing through the use of 21 natural hydrating elements particularly Ecotin and Thehalose which help the skin to maintain hydrated in both hot and colder climates.

I have been using this after cleansing in the evenings and even though the suggestion is to use a serum after moisturising I have felt no need to reach for any other products. I can say that it is the richest, yet lightest moisturiser I think I have ever used and thankfully I have not gone to bed feeling sticky as my skin immediately starts to absorb and hydrate. I have seen a difference in how hydrated my skin has looked when waking up with far less dry patches which seems to last throughout the next day too.

I’m just sorry that I haven’t given this or any of the other Time Bomb products a try before the last few weeks.

Have you tried anything from Time Bomb? What should I try next?

*PR Sample

25 Facts About Me.

Since it was my birthday this week I thought it would be a fun post to write 25 facts about myself. It is much harder than you think!

1)      I have an ‘unhealthy’ addiction to peanut butter and houmous. A slight issue...

2)      I have a twin brother called Angus, who is 9 minutes older than me (may explain why the picture above has been chosen.)

3)      I only have my ears pierced, and I have no wish to get anything else done.

4)      My family have just moved house for the 11^th time.

5)      My guilty crush is Ben Fogle.

6)      I’ve known since I was very little I want to become a teacher once I have finished my Geography degree and done a PGCE.

7)      When I was about 7 all I wanted to be when I grew up was the tooth fairy.

8)      I have never broken any bones *Touch wood.*

9)      I have a real fear of falling backwards, well that and at times heights.
10)   I really dislike cooked ham.

11)   Every time I watch Monsters Inc I cry.

12)   I’m definitely more of a morning person than a night owl.

13)   I have kept virtually every letter I have ever received since the day I started secondary school.

14)    I love going to sleep to the sound of rain.

15)   I am the least artistic person I think you'll ever meet.

16)   One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don’t put down the loo seat after using it. Thanks boys!!

17)   I literally love anything that is stripy.

18)   I am definitely more of a dog person than a cat person.

19)   I often enjoy getting ready to go out more than the actual going out.

20)   I hate smoking. I have never smoked and I never will.

21)   I take the view that everything happens for a reason in life.

22)   I absolutely hate being late for things. I get really panicky.

23)   People often tell me I am very observant, but also a very good judge of character too.

24)   Since I was little I’ve had a little puppet donkey called Cuggly who whenever I’m at home has to sleep in my bed.

25) I would do anything for my family and friends, they are my complete world.

4 Series I am loving on Netflix

Gone are the days where we need to wait for the DVD boxset to compulsively watch our favourite TV series. It is now easier than ever to binge watch our favourite films or TV on demand through numerous forms of TV monthly subscriptions or through catch up TV.

I hold my hands up and admit I am a massive fan of catch up and on demand TV services as it gives me the flexibility to watch what I want, where I and when I want. My definite guilty pleasure is getting into my pyjamas and binge watching a new series recommended to me by a friend. I have so many things I want to watch but here is what I have watched and loved recently:

Grantchester: The second series of this has just finished set in the 1950s starring the rather handsome James Norton as a village parish vicar who combines forces with a police detective to solve various crimes. The series is set in some beautiful areas. A definite watch if you like crime dramas with a bit of romance. ITV have also commissioned another series…!!

Call the Midwife: Another series set in the 1950s and 60s (can you see a trend already emerging in the kind of things I love watching!?) which follows the lives of a group of East London midwives and their patients. I love a bit of history and the series seems to cover some important life messages that make it a brilliant watch. I have laughed, cried and smiled through the many twists and turns of this programme.

Vicar of Dibley: After many years I decided this series was something that needed a rewatch. A total classic in our household and luckily something that everyone is happy to watch. As the name suggests the main character is a vicar and her hilarious parish. Alice’s wedding has me in stiches every time I watch it.

House: I am without doubt late to the party on this one. My Dad and brother watched all the seasons for this a few years ago, but I never really got into it. However, it wasn’t until I really gave it a few episodes that I got into it. The series follows Dr. House and his many clashes with other doctors over diagnosing his patients with some very exotic diseases.

Maybe that has given you some inspiration for your next TV binge. I would love to know what you have been loving as I'm always on the look out for new things to watch!

March Favourites

I can't believe we are already into April. Kind of scary we are already a quarter of the way through 2016. I have quite a variety of favourites for March including some Easter inspired favourites.

Crème Eggs

What would Easter be without these little beauties? They had to be included in this months favourites as I look forward to them every year Our household certainly went a tad overboard this year on Crème Eggs so I have quite a few to get through!

Naked Basics Palette

A brilliant palette for every day use. Obviously, I love the other Naked palettes with some mattes and shimmery shades but this a great for an understated neutral look. Perfect to pack up and take anywhere when the other palettes are slightly more bulky.

L’Occitane Rose Hand Cream

This is a repurchase after being given this for my birthday last year. Since my repurchase I think they might have updated their packaging which I think looks even better. This is has been an absolute staple for me over the winter months but has continued to be very loved into February and March. This is brilliant for those dry and chapped areas of your hands. A definite treat!

Cigarette Trousers

This pair are a Warehouse blue print. Quite a recent purchase and have worked very well with various shirts, jumpers and teamed with my pair of suede tassel loafers have been a great transition to the warmer spells of weather we have been having in the UK.

Anthropologie Measuring Spoons

I know truly my most random favourite to date but these have been invaluable in the kitchen over Easter. There is nothing quite like some vibrant kitchenware and there is something so happy about these.

If I could I would literally buy all my homeware in Anthropologie.

Would love to know what you have been loving throughout March.

Ella xx