Oat & Poppy Seed Cake Pops

Listening to Kwabs

 

 

 

Think gospel, soul and an electrifying voice that is intensely beautiful. 

 

Finally I have succumbed to the very cute and now outdated cake pop. I totally disagree with crumbling cake then binding it again with buttercream and every other step that add calorific content to each tiny ball. When I spotted a special cake pop baking tray, I knew this would be a creative move. No I won't follow what and how cake pops are supposed to be assembled, I will work my own magic.

 

This was a test batch which turned out beautifully....

 

Oats and poppy seeds as well as almond essence in this really light sponge.

 

Covered in dark chocolate, Special K flakes and dried mango flakes.



The others were covered in chopped hazelnuts and desiccated coconut.

 

More adventurous themes with cake pop design coming soon, hopefully themed around that LOVEly time of year.

 

 

 



My Favourite Things

 

1. My mums turkey samosas.

 

Made with turkey mince, spices and potatoes. I have no limit to how many I can consume in half an hour! Beautiful with cucumber raitu, mango chutney and salsa.

 

 

 

2. Vita Coco

 

When I practised Bikram yoga I lived off coconut water. Water itself didn't replenish lost electrolytes, this drink is boss. There are quite a few coconut water companies on the market, and personally they all taste a bit strange. I really do feel like I'm sticking a straw in a coconut and lying in a hammock when drinking this bad boy. 

 

 

3. SEA SALT CHOCOLATE

 

I keep a few chocolate bars as a secret stash for late nights or good movies, and I can eat them all in a flash, but with G&B's sea salt I can only handle one little piece at a time. In each block there is the PERFECT amount of sea salt, and when it hits your tongue - oh boy. See how unprofessional I am...most of this bar has gone!

You have to experience the magic.

 

 

4. Carrot, Parsley, Pear & Orange juice.

 

I know exactly what you just did - turned your nose up at the sound of parsley! Give this flat leaf herb a chance and see how amazing you will feel after. Having a fresh juice every morning is working wonders on my skin and energy levels. If you need a pick up, definitely get into juicing.

Benefits of juicing parsley?

Juicing it is actually better that eating it, you will absorb more of its powerhouse nutrients.

A great breath freshener if you stress about smelling of garlic or onion.

More info here:

http://juicing-for-health.com/basic-nutrition/healing-vegetables/health-benefits-of-parsley.html

 

 

 

 

 

5. London Grammar

 

When I came across 'help me lose my mind' by Disclosure featuring London Grammar, I quickly became obsessed with the talented trio. Most of their songs are not exactly uplifting or energetic, mainly injected with deeper messages that left me engrossed in Hannah Reid's voice.

 

 

 

Eat, drink and listen!

 

M.x

 

 

My Favourite Things

Every week for as long as I can, there will be a few of my favourite things linked to food and music. This post is also inspired by Julie Andrews, read on to find out why.

 Let's get straight into it...

1

The joy this gorgeous pot brings into my life is beyond words. It is my equivalent to ice cream, yes that's right, on a ladies night in you will see me spooning straight out of the tub when everyone else will probably opt for Ben & Jerry's.

AMAZING WITH:

Chopped bananas and Swiss muesli with a dash of skimmed milk.

Chocolate cake

Apple crumble

In a smoothie with banana, spinach and berries.

2

Five beans rock. They rock so hard that if they were in a band, all other cans of beans would be knocked off the stage and hail to five glory. This is how crazy I am about them and you should be too. Five bean power.

TRY THEM:

With your full English breakfast.

On toast with melted cheese

As a veggie chilli by adding spices and serving with rice.

On a jacket potato.

In a tortilla wrap with rocket and sausage.

Basically anything you would have with your average baked beans.

3.

Carrot, cucumber and ginger juice.

I'm trying to incorporate more fresh juices in my diet, which one will definitely be for breakfast. There maybe some smoothies getting involved to ensure I get my fibre, but I'm excited about trying new concoctions. 

Having a juice first thing in the morning feels so flipping good I can't look at cereal anymore. Juicing is a great way to use up apples, carrots, celery and loads more ingredients which will make you feel fresh eyed and awake.

Loads more juices coming up, so start setting up or buy one now!

 4.

I love you oats. Normally after a long run I like to make a small bowl of oatmeal with skimmed milk, one chopped banana and a drizzle of manuka honey. Oats are known to keep you fuller for longer and I crave lunch until after a healthy few hours.

Using oats in smoothies and in everyday meals will inject great benefits to your health. Check out this link if you have a few minutes:

http://www.eatmoreoats.com/health.html

TRY:

Adding a tablespoon to any smoothie you make.

Sprinkling oats on top of muffins before you bake them.

Stirring through a handful of oats in a crumble mixture.

Cover mackerel in seasoned oats and lightly fry.

Make your own granola, mainly oat based and top with yoghurt.

5.

 Julie Andrews

She is and always will be magical in every way. I recently watched Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music in one sitting (the benefits of Christmas holidays) and was mesmerised by how happy I was after those golden hours of witnessing so many people being lifted by Julie's charm and voice. This is why I want to do a weekly list of my favourite things, this is what most people should do to remind themselves of the simple pleasures in life.

God bless you Julie.

6.

Beyoncé looking beautiful even with a fork in her mouth.

When B and Jay-Z went vegan for 22 days the whole world was in awe and of course another new diet, paired with the recent fasting diet, Paleo and vegan before 6pm came into light.

I'm sorry B, your the hottest lady around but there is no way on earth I'm giving up eggs or honey. Her new album and videos are great to watch, is there anything this woman can't do? My favourite video is definitely 'Grown Woman'.

Intrigued about a plant based diet?

http://www.22daysnutrition.com/

I know it's January and everyone is feeling fat but in all seriousness, if you are wanting to lose weight make sure its for you, celebs like Beyoncé, Abby Clancy, Miranda Kerr and other models who look so fit it makes me cry, all HAVE to look that way.

Eat, drink and exercise in moderation.

Like what you have and make the most of it.

M