Chocolate Protein Bars

Ingredients:

Dry-

2 cups oats

2 cups chocolate protein powder

½ cup slivered almonds

½ cup dried cranberries

1tsp cinnamon

 

Wet-

1/3 cup natural nut butter of your choice

¼ cup almond milk

¼ cup apple sauce

½ cup dark chocolate

1tbls vanilla essence

 

½ dark chocolate (extra, optional)

 

Method:

Mix all dry ingredients together in large bowl

Put all wet ingredients in separate bowl and microwave until chocolate is melted

Add wet to dry ingredients and mix until completely combined (may require some muscle)

Push mixture down into lined pan until surface it flat

If using additional chocolate, melt and spread over top

Refrigerate or freeze until set and keep refrigerated

A New Beginning

So it has been about seven months since I have posted anything on this blog. The last few months have definitely not been my best. I gained weight, hit a self-esteem low point and lost all confidence and motivation I had in myself.
It’s time to turn myself around and start this again. The road to success has many failures and I’ve always known this but I didn’t expect to be heading in the wrong direction for such a long period of time. The only thing I can do now is see it as a learning experience and continue moving forward.
I recently turned twenty one and for my birthday I received multiple vouchers and a reasonable amount of money. I decided to put all of that away until I reach my weight goal and to use it as a reward to go shopping. I told my dad this at which point he asked, “So what is your weight goal?”. I had no idea because I’m not weighing myself (because if I do I’ll unhealthily obsess over it) so I bought myself lingerie from Agent Provocateur including a waspie (which is like a corset) in a size 10 and decided that my goal is to fit into it without muffining over the top.
I have quite a way to go and I’m not giving myself any time limit because I’ve realised having a time frame stresses me out to the point where I screw up or give up. I just have to believe in myself and I will get there. I’ll have my bad days and I’ll have my good days but as long as there is more good than bad I will be moving forward.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup almond meal
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup natural peanut butter*
Vanilla to taste

Method:
If you have a food processor just chuck everything in and blend until it resembles crumbly dough

If you don’t (like me) just blend everything as much as you can with a stick blender and then finish of by mixing the rest through with your hands

Once you have your dough, roll into balls and press down with a fork
No baking required. Just store in the fridge.

*Any combination of nut butters will work

2013

As some of you may have guessed from my lack of posts over the last few weeks, I’ve let myself go a bit over Christmas and in general. I’ve been really struggling with finding motivation and constantly giving in to that voice in my head that tells me I can’t do it.

But with a new year comes new hope. I’ve started a 21 day detox to kick start my weight loss for the year and I’ve made it my goal to lose 7 kg in the next 10 weeks. Which will get me just under my pre-Bali weight. Here’s a link if you’re interested in the detox. (You have to buy a book though, which is great and has a shopping list and heaps of recipes.)

I’m going to put something on my bedroom wall to remind me of the date in 10 weeks. I’m going to search for motivation in every little place that I can because this time I don’t want to fail. Failing would be harder than succeeding.

Green Coffee Bean Extract Review

So for almost a month now I’ve been taking green coffee bean extract every day. I was really hoping I could tell you it works but it doesn’t. I’ve seen no change in my weight loss, my energy levels or my appetite.
I’ve been really struggling with my weight loss journey lately, I’ve lost all motivation and I just can’t figure out how to get it back. This last week I’ve been to the gym three times after months of not going and in that week I’ve put on another kg. So no, the coffee bean extract definitely did not work for me. I’m not claiming that they don’t work at all, they just didn’t for me.
In a way I’m kind of glad, because if they did work like they were advertised it would just give me another excuse not to try my hardest and put in my all. I guess I’m just going to have to keep searching for that motivation.

My Dirty Gingerbread House

I’m sorry this definitely is not clean. Although, I am very proud of my gingerbread house and this is my blog so I’m going to post it here because my baking is pretty much my only talent and I think I’m entitled to a little bragging now and then.

Bircher Muesli with Raspberry Coulis

Ingredients:
Pure apple juice
Oats
Few big spoons of greek yoghurt
Frozen raspberries
Natural sweetener (eg. nativa)
Your choice of nuts – I used almond flakes and cashews

Method:
Fill bowl with as much oats as you want
Cover with apple juice
Leave in the fridge overnight

Mix in greek yoghurt to oats
Put a handful of frozen raspberries in the microwave until melted and juicy
Blend with nativa
Serve oats with raspberry coulis and nuts or mix it all together

Clean Nachos

Ingredients: (serves 3)
High quality beef mince
2 red capsicums
1 green capsicum
1 brown onion
2 tomatoes
2 heaped dessert spoons cottage cheese
Garlic to taste
Mixed herbs

4 mountain bread rye wraps

Avocado
Fresh lemon juice
Cottage cheese

Greek yoghurt

Method:
Dice capsicum, tomatoes and onion
Put onion and capsicum in a large saucepan and soften with some oil
Add mince and tomatoes
Slightly brown mince, then add garlic and herbs

Once cooked completely turn off heat and add cottage cheese

Place rye bread wraps in oven until crispy
Break up into nacho sized pieces

Mash some avocado with cottage cheese and lemon juice
Serve with Greek yoghurt