Happy Sunday! It’s been a pretty great weekend for me so far, involving lots of baking and eating too much cake. What’s not to love? Hope you’re all having a fab time too. The cakes are actually in aid of a big family picnic/reunion that we have planned later at Blenheim Palace. There’s going to be a least 20 of us, so you can imagine that a lot of cake is required to keep all of those bellies satisfied. I made a red velvet cake (personal favourite), a lemon sponge tray bake and some healthier fruit kebabs.
Speaking of cake, my brother did manage to travel last weekend and we had a lovely time chilling out and cooking together, which included a banana bread loaf. My brother’s a chef, so despite all his efforts he always ends up in the kitchen wherever he goes. The banana bread has been a lovely treat at breakfast topped with crunchy peanut butter served with blueberries a green smoothie and a big mug of apple tea.
Actually I’ve really enjoyed my breakfasts this week, more than any other week recently. It’s definitely the best meal of the day in my opinion:
There were some peaches in the fridge that were going squishy so I baked them in the oven in some coconut oil. They came out lovely and sweet and went well with some organic natural yoghurt, almonds, honey and blueberries, yum!
The mornings have been feeling very autumnal this week. Bring back summer! I’m not ready to say goodbye to the sunshine just yet. I’ve fancied porridge a lot in the mornings and had this lovely bowl of organic oats cooked in unsweetened almond milk and coconut oil. I topped them with my current addiction of blueberries, banana slices and honey.
Another favourite way to eat my porridge is by actually cooking my berries in with the oats on the hob. These blueberries made the oats go this funky purple colour! I added almond extract, honey and almond butter to make a tasty bowl of blueberry and almond porridge.
Lunches have generally been salads this week or omelettes, but if this autumnal feeling lingers I think I will be whipping up a huge batch of lentil soup for next week. This particular salad was my favourite: mixed leaves, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber and my balsamic roasted chickpeas. Simple, but tasty!
I’ve been such a hungry monster this week! I think that has a lot to with the baby putting on more weight (my bump has popped out some more!) and my body doing more work. Snacks have been a must and this cocoa coconut Trek bar was certainly on point with my mug of apple tea as I took a break away from my work.
My recent addiction is ice lollies. I have been making my own like my Peach and Coconut Cream Popsicles, but I’ve also been buying them from the shops too. Mini Milks have been a good replacement for when I haven’t been able to get hold of the OkoBay coconut water ice lollies. This one was enjoyed after my afternoon walk in the sunshine.
Chocolate and cherries….an all time favourite flavour combination of mine that never seems to get old. This was actually an afternoon pick me up when I felt myself lagging a bit in the afternoon. The blackberry and ginger dark chocolate sounds weird but it’s so good. Let’s just say that the bar didn’t make it through the week!
Fair enough, it doesn’t look very pretty in the bowl right there, but this tikka fish curry was the bomb! It was the leftovers from a meal that me and my brother cooked together served with rice and naan bread There were plenty of leftovers to keep us going when he left. It was full of lentils, potatoes and cauliflower, making it very hearty by itself, even when we had run out of fish!
Another week means another stir fry in our house. This was an oriental style pork stir fry with a lovely spicy sauce and udon noodles. I’ve been cooking so many stir fries recently that I’m going to run out of inspiration as to what variation to cook next. Any stir fry recipe recommendations are kindly welcome!
This weeks workout round-up:
Monday – 30 minute walk
Tuesday – morning gym session (15 minutes gentle cardio and strength routine – bicep curls, shoulder presses, chest presses, squats against the wall and weighted bum raises)
Wednesday – 30 minute walk
Thursday – morning gym session (15 minutes gentle cardio and strength routine – bicep curls, shoulder presses, chest presses, squats against the wall and weighted bum raises)
Friday – 30 minute walk
Saturday –REST
Sunday – maybe a 10 minute prenatal yoga routine
Now that I’m in the later stages of the third trimester I’ve been feeling tired again, although nothing close to how I felt in my first trimester. On days when I have felt more tired I’ve been taking it easier, but have been loving my walks still. I just wish that I could have fitted more yoga in, but I’ve come to realise that I can’t do everything and feel settled with what I have achieved this week.
Breakfast has always been my most favourite meal of the day for some reason. I tend to get up earlier just so I can have a leisurely breakfast if time allows. Starting with a lovely meal really helps to kick-start my day and I love how varied I try to make them each and everyday. Obviously, there is nothing more enjoyable than a weekend breakfast that isn’t rushed and you can indulge in every mouthful without watching the clock.
What is your favourite meal of the day? Do you have any favourite foods that you like to have at breakfast time?
Breakfast has and always will be my favourite meal of the day. I think it’s so important to take a little time out to breathe and enjoy before the rush of the day begins - it makes me feel far more prepared. Personally, you can’t beat a good pancake breakfast (I’ve been loving Laura’s sweet potato pancakes lately) and I’m looking forward to cracking out my new waffle maker soon!
Where do you buy your coconut water lollies? I can’t seem to find them xx
Great your on board with the breakfast bandwagon! 🙂 I get them in Tesco, but I think that you can pick them up in Sainsbury’s now too. 🙂
I love the look of that chickpea salad. Actually EVERYTHING looks really healthy! great stuff
Thanks Fiona! 🙂
You and I would get along so well just because we enjoy the same food! I can relate to your brother, but I usually end up in the kitchen because people say “hey Amby, you’re a chef, you do it!” I don’t mind, but sometimes I just want to be a guest haha! That banana bread sounds sooo good!
Ohhh bless you! It must be hard as everyone expects you to pass on your amazing cooking tips 🙂
These pictures are amazing, everything looks delicious! ive never tried those kinds of ice lollies before, but they sound tasty, may have a look at the link you included 🙂 x
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They are really yummy and so easy to make.
a very inspiring post, and I agree whats not to love about cake,
I never used to eat breaksfast until my husband, starting making it for me, now i would not be without it.
Hope you have a wonderful day at the Palace, look forward to seeing some photographs
I always have to start my day with breakfast too, otherwise it feels like I haven’t started my day right.
The food looks amazing! I too love oats so I will be trying your recipe sometime this week. Congratulations on expecting a new bundle of joy!
Thanks so much Erin! 🙂
Breakfast is probably my favourite meal of the day right now and I love a big bowl of oats to start the day.
You can never go wrong with a big bowl of oats for breakfast. 🙂
Mmm that banana bread looks so good 🙂
I agree breakfast is great- although when I am at work I stick to either porridge or overnight oats for ease, as I can make them the night before. At weekends I love pancakes, and recently have been making French toast.
Pancakes were made for the weekend! 🙂 I still need to get on the French toast bandwagon.
I’m a big fan of breakfast, especially at weekends. All of yours look delicious Jemma!
I also like dinner and dessert, that’s when I finally feel myself relaxing!
Thanks Claire! I can definitely relax over a yummy dessert. 🙂
All of these look delicious! I love having greek yogurt with blueberries or making a green smoothie out of spinach, pineapple, banana, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and water 🙂
I’ve never tried ACV in a green smoothie before. Will have to give that a go. 🙂
Breakfast is absolutely the best meal of the day, I sometimes have breakfast food for lunch/dinner too!
Yay! I’m loving scrambled egg in soda bread for lunch at the moment. I used to have porridge for dinner a lot. I’m going to have to try that when the weather cools off. 🙂
i always have porridge for breakfast (I know, I’m soo boring). But I love it and never get bored. Though if I’m away somewhere in a hotel I might have a full English as a treat (no baked beans though…urgh!)
The meal your brother made looks FANTASTIC! Yum.
I’m also a huge breakfast fan. 🙂 And that ginger dark chocolate bar sounds amazing…
your food always looks so yummy! 🙂 we don’t wake up for breakfast.
Yum! Congrats on eating and exercising so well through your pregnancy, it’s one of the best investments I can think of. In particular, the banana bread with peanut butter and apple tea just sounded heavenly. :9
xo,
lauriel
EyeForElegance.com
Thanks Lauriel!
Are those protein bars any good? Those snacks look awesome! How have I never tried chocolate and cherries?
I love anything with coconut in it, so I love them! 🙂 You so have to try that combo Michelle!
Breakfast is always my favorite meal too, although I don’t always have time for it. Never thought to bake squishy peaches. I am going to remember that!
All of your foods look so good and you have so much variety in your dishes. 🙂
I used to be a manager of a restaurant straight out of uni and as manager I was trained in all areas, including the kitchen. Dan used to frequently ‘order’ items from the restaurant menu for me to cook at home!
I do love breakfast but on my days off I love experimenting with more elaborate lunches. I don’t often get a chance to on work days though!
Yum. I want to learn to prepare that meal.