Weekly 'Food Facts'- No.1 - Sweet Potato

Hi Everyone,

I would like to introduce you to a new series I have created for my blog, 'Food Facts'. It is reasonably self explanatory but for those of you who would like some clarification: I will be writing about a different ingredient each week- giving facts and a recipe idea (there will be lots of recipes separate to these posts as I use these ingredients on a regular basis and love making as well sharing my creations)!

Sweet potatoes are one of my favourite foods- ever. They are so delicious and flavoursome without even adding anything. Not only are they scrummy but they are also very nutritious!

FACTS

High in vitamin A-This supports the immune system, vision, cell growth and protects against sun damage. 

Vitamin C- 1 sweet potato counts to about ½ of your daily vitamin C intake. It promotes healthy, glowing skin due to the collagen and supports the immune system.

The storage proteins have been shown to heal wounds.

Contributes to inflammation.

The potassium content in the sweet potato helps lower blood pressure. It has important electrolytes which help normalise heartbeat.

Complex carbohydrate- Slow release of sugar (keeps energy levels more consistent) in comparison to other (simple, starchy) carbohydrates that give you ‘sugar spikes’.

Full of manganese- this helps to metabolise carbohydrates.  

Stress relief- the magnesium encourages calmness.

Fibre- Helps regulate digestion and keeps the digestive tract healthy.

RECIPE

Sweet Potato, Bean, Bacon and Spinach in a Spicy Tomato Sauce

Serves 6

You will need:

Sharp Knife

Large/Deep Pan

Spoon

Ingredients

3 Sweet Potatoes (Cubed)

1 Large Onion (Sliced)

2 Garlic Cloves (Crushed)

12 Rashers of Smoked Bacon (I personally remove the fat)

400g canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

400g canned mixed beans (drained and rinsed)

2 Large Handfuls Spinach

2x400g tinned plum tomatoes

1 Romano Pepper

1 Tsp Smoked Paprika

1 Tsp Ground Cumin

1/2 Tsp Cayenne

Salt & Pepper 

Method

-Preheat the pan (medium heat), add the garlic, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, onion and pepper to the pan and cook until the onion has softened. 

-Add the bacon and cook for a 2 minutes. 

-Pop the sweet potato in the pan and cook for 2 minutes (it makes it taste a little nuttier I find). 

-Pour the beans and chickpeas into the pan alongside the tomatoes. 

Turn the heat up and let it bubble for 5 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to low/medium and simmer (to thicken the sauce).

When the sweet potato is soft add the spinach and season to taste.

EAT! :)

I hope this was helpful, interesting and you enjoy the recipe I have come up with! As I mentioned, this recipe serves 6. I did this as apart of my 'bulk cooking'. If you would like more information about the benefits of meal planning then check out my previous post: http://isabelsinsight95.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/saving-money-whilst-spending-losing.html

If you make any of the recipes from my 'Food Facts' posts, I would love to see pictures! Please use the hashtag #IIFF. 

Love

Isabel x

Healthy Mini Pancakes!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're all well!

So, as some of you are aware it is Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) on... Tuesday! I love pancakes and have always made them from scratch- usually with egg, flour and milk. However, since I haven't been eating gluten and diary as often as previous years, I have found that even substituting the flour for a gluten free one and using nut milk.. it's just not same. I don't overly like the texture either. Instead, I have made some, protein filled, quick and easy pancakes made from just two ingredients!

Makes Eight Mini Pancakes- Roughly

You will need:

Non-stick Frying Pan
Coconut Oil
Blender
Spatula
Knife

Ingredients:
One Banana
Two Eggs

Toppings:

Handful of Blueberries
Half a Banana
Drizzle of Maple Syrup-Honey/Agave Nectar are yummy too!

Step One

Chop up the banana, crack the two eggs and pop them into a blender, then whizz until silky and smooth.

Step Two

Roughly pour two tablespoons of batter into a non-stick frying pan (medium heat) and cook on each side for about forty seconds each- until golden brown. Repeat this process until you've used all of your batter up.

Step Three

Stack the pancakes and add your toppings- ENJOY! 

I will be posting my pancakes that I make on Tuesday- savoury and sweet! So keep your eyes peeled!

Love

Isabel x

‘Free-From’ Chocolate Ice Cream

Hi Everyone,

 Welcome back! I have another delicious recipe for you.

As some of you may know, I don’t really have a sweet tooth. When ice cream is on the scene it’s another story. However, since I haven’t been eating dairy I have been having a bit of an issue- funnily enough! I know there are brands out there that do sell 'dairy free' ice cream but it’s much more expensive and frankly, I can’t afford it right now. I have done some research and have created this delicious, chocolaty ice cream which is also vegan, dairy free and gluten free! 

You will need:

Food Processor or Blender

Sharp Knife

Measuring Spoons

Sealable Tub

Spatula

Ingredients: 

6 Bananas (Ripe bananas are better as they are sweeter but I personally don’t like the taste!)

½ Cup Almond Milk

1 ½ Cups Cacao Powder 

1 ½ Tbsp Agave Nectar or Honey (Do this to taste!)

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Salt

Step One

Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until a smooth, creamy paste is formed. If you don’t have one then use a blender, however, add the ingredients in batches as it may have some issue due to the think texture.

Step Two

Pour the mixture into a plastic tub and put it in the freezer for at least 3 hours.

You’re done! Enjoy this with lots of different toppings, for example, crushed hazelnuts, peanut butter, strawberries… the list is endless. 

I hope you enjoy!

Isabel x

Tasty Thai Turkey Burgers

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love the Thai cuisine. It is all so flavoursome and can also be incredibly simplistic to incorporate into everyday eating.

 I first had Thai turkey burgers at my ex-boyfriend’s house years ago and have loved them ever since. I re-created them at home with what I thought was inside them and they tasted pretty darn good (if I do say so myself) and have been making them ever since- a definite family favourite (especially when barbequed!)

(Serves 4)

You will need

Sharp Knife

Food Processor

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

(400g) Turkey Mince

1 Large Onion

2 Garlic Cloves

1 Thai Red Chilli

Small Handful of Fresh Coriander

1 Lime (Zest)

Season with Salt & Pepper 

Step One

Roughly chop the onion and put it into the food processor alongside the garlic, chilli, coriander, lime zest, salt and pepper. Blend.

Step Two

In a separate bowl add the turkey mince and the paste that you’ve just created. Get your hands in there and mix it all together.

Step Three

Separate the mixture and make little burgers. Pop them on a tray or plate and put them in the fridge for half an hour or so if you’re cooking them that day.

Step Four

Heat a frying or griddle pan with a little bit of coconut oil and cook them on a medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side. Make sure the burger is piping hot in the centre before you eat it!

(I have paired mine with a mixture of quinoa, brown rice and some steamed broccoli. The burgers are so versatile. I love them with salad, sweet potato chips or even broken up and put on top of a homemade pizza!)

I hope you enjoy this lean, protein filled, yummy burger!

Love

Isabel x

Gluten & Dairy Free Basil Pesto

I absolutely love pesto, especially fresh pesto. So, when I altered my diet I then realised I could no longer eat normal pesto because of the cheese in it! I thought to myself, surely there is a dairy free one out there. I tried a jarred one, it was yummy, but I love a pungent basil pesto (basil is my favourite herb) and I feel like you can only get that if you make it from scratch... so that's what I did!

I had made traditional pesto before (basil, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan cheese and garlic) so I kind of knew what I was doing... so I just chucked a few ingredients together and this is what I ended up with... 

Ingredients

Basil (2 cups)

Cashews (1 cup)

Garlic (2-3 gloves)

Olive Oil (1/2 cup)

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Method

Pop the basil, cashews, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor.

Put the lid on and gradually add the olive oil.

Feel free to add more or less of anything depending on the taste and consistency you prefer. 

This recipe is so easy to adapt, for example, change up the nuts to some pine nuts or walnuts. Personally I can't really tell a difference now there isn't any cheese in it!

I could eat this on its own, dip crackers into it or have it on toast. But I usually pop it in with some gluten free pasta with some chicken, bacon, onion, tomatoes. Such a quick and easy meal! The pesto lasts quite well too with the flavour intensifying everyday. I'm going to try it was some corgette spaghetti soon- I will let you know how that goes!

Enjoy!

Love 

Isabel x

An Insight Into My Life Changing Decisions...

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're well! This post is going to delve into my lifestyle change and journey to being the healthiest I can be- body, mind and soul- Heads up.. This won't include any photos.. I just wanted to let this out. 

This time last year I had just finished school and was going into the big, scary world. I had absolutely loved Sixth Form and had met some incredible people and had lots of fun. But the thing that stood out to me most as I was leaving school wasn't these happy things it was a comment/joke made by one of teachers (she is lovely-I'm not slagging her off). At the end of the year quite a few teachers like to make funny award ceremonies and this particular teacher gave me the award for 'The World Is Coming To An End'- which pretty much transferred into me thinking the worst possible thing was going to happen all the time- just a generally negative mindset. I didn't want to be known as that pessimistic person, the person would didn't want to try new things because they were to scared of failure and not being good enough, who just stayed in their comfort zone because they didn't want to feel anxious and have a potential panic attack. Of course this isn't easy to alter. 

There were multiple things that were contributing to my negativity. Throughout my whole life I have struggled with my weight. Being overweight obviously made me a target for bullying which of course left me with quite low self esteem. Throughout primary school and Years 7-9 I didn't really have any true friends. I felt lonely, unwanted and was experiencing suicidal thoughts which also lead to self harming. My weight kept changing, I did get into a state where my weight and body composition was healthy but I just 'let myself go' as it were (I was in a long term relationship where I was comfortable and loved). So, when we broke up I was an absolute mess! I gained about two stone which was majorly influenced by drinking alcohol socially most days and going out at the weekends. I just didn't take care of myself. My immune system was diabolical, I always had something wrong, on some sort of antibiotics. It was horrible. And of course my anxiety and panic attacks were worse than ever (this was right around exam time too- YAY!). I just was not okay. I was the biggest and heaviest I have ever been and the unhealthiest- something needed to change.

How I turned it all around...

Those of you who know me, will know that I love Sam Smith. His voice is incredible and his lyrics have really spoken to me- he has helped me let out so many emotions (by this I mean I have belted out his songs on repeat- no shame!) So, of course, me being a fan means I follow him on pretty much any social media I can, and I'm so glad that I did. It is hard to miss that Sam has lost lots of weight and has become much healthier and happier. I just happened to stumble across one of his Instagram posts where he addressed this and how he achieved it. It was all kick started with a book, 'Eat. Nourish. Glow', written by Amelia Freer (a nutritional therapist). So, that evening I ordered the book- MIND BLOWING! (I will do a book review on a separate post). Don't get me wrong, I have never really had a bad 'diet'. My parents were very influential in that respect- eating and cooking fresh, balanced meals. I was just a lazy bum and didn't really exercise that much (this was mainly due to the fact I didn't want to be laughed at or be 'fat shamed'). The phrase that stood out to me particularly in this book was "listen to your body". She mentions the way foods can make you feel, for example, wheat/gluten making you feel bloated and uncomfortable and dairy making your stomach churn and feel a bit gassed up. So, I assessed what I was eating and how it made me feel afterwards. These two points related to me the most. So, I decided to take them out of my diet and substitute them so I was still getting the necessary nutrition- I would advise going to see your doctor but I personally didn't at the beginning (but will be soon). 

I have never looked back. I almost instantly felt healthier and more energised. I absolutely love cooking and I'm not a fussy eater so this transition wasn't hard for me at all, it was actually quite fun! 

Another contributor to my lifestyle change is Herbalife- I have a post about the Herbalife SKIN range that I love, so have a nose if you would like to know more about some of the products. Not only are the products amazing, so is the customer care. I have an amazing coach and his passionate nature and belief in me has honestly transformed me. He helped me alter the way I think- I now think more logically, realistically and prioritise what is actually important to me there and then so to help maximise my personal growth and success- I will go into more depth in a separate post. He has taught me so much and has encouraged me to follow my dreams, so I am very grateful and lucky to have his support and the support the whole Herbalife community, my work colleagues, family and friends continuously. 

My Mum is also a true inspiration to me. She has been through some challenging things and is honestly one of the most amazing, brave and beautiful women I know, I love her to pieces. She has taught me so much and I think she would also say that I have taught her a few things too. I am much stronger, wiser and aspirational because of her, so thank you Mumma!

So, since last year I have lost two stone, my body composition is improving, my nutrition is pretty darn good, my hydration has increased, my skin in a lot clearer, I have way more energy and motivation, I can control my anxiety a lot more and have pushed myself to take part in activities and events outside of my comfort zone. I have planned for the future and what I would like to achieve and how I'm going to get there. I am incredibly happy and no matter what crap comes at me I no longer see it as a negative. Without those 'issues' I wouldn't be able to grow as a person, become stronger and more independent. 

I am incredibly proud of myself. But this is only the beginning of my life changing journey and I will continue to work my butt off (literally and hypothetically) and continue to share it! I hope this helps at least one of you.. Don't worry.. You can get through whatever it is that is bothering you, trust me. 

Thank you so much!

Love

Isabel x

My Skin Transformation- Herbalife SKIN

If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know that I was really struggling with my skin. I had mild acne, my skin was red and inflamed, always spotty, the surface of my skin was bumpy and I had dark scarring from previous spots. I went to the doctors and even the the lotions and potions they prescribed me didn't do anything- they just dried my skin out, especially around my eyes and it stung. 

One of my oldest friends, Mary, informed me that Herbalife have just launched their own 'SKIN' range and offered me a 'Results Kit' (claiming results in 7 DAYS!)- I was at a point where I would try anything to sort my face out! So, I said yes and obviously wanted to see if their claim was true. 

The Results Kit includes the following testers: Soothing Aloe Cleanser (50ml), Daily Glow Moisturiser (15ml), Replenishing Night Cream (15ml), Firming Eye Gel Packette (2x2ml) and Hydrating Eye Cream Packette (2x2ml).

OH MY LIFE! MY SKIN HAS COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED!

Even after one use, the following morning my skin was glowing- even my Dad commented on how 'fresh-faced' I looked. The redness and inflammation had decreased over night! I was over the moon. Of course I was going to carry on using these products... 

I have now bought full sized versions of the Soothing Aloe Cleanser (150ml), Daily Glow Moisturiser (30ml) and Night Repair Cream (30ml). But I also purchased something new to try- the Instant Reveal Berry Scrub (120ml). ( I will gradually buying more and more- I just love it all! )

I will go through the products in chronological order (the order in which I use them anyway!)

So, I wake up with a bare face, no makeup from the day before! And use the Instant Reveal Berry Scrub (which has also made the Top 3 in Closer Magazine's list of the best facial scrubs!). 

I wet my face with warm water and then squeeze the sweet, fruity scented face scrub on to my figures and apply to my face in a circular motion.

The scrub is filled with the tiny berry seeds which exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells from the surface. I focus mainly on my nose and chin as this is where the majority of my dry skin in situated. It is very gentle and has a gel formula that lathers into a more soapy consistency. 

I then wash this off and do the same thing but with the Soothing Aloe Cleanser.

This is also a gel consistency and lathers in the same way the scrub does. I only use a pea sized amount with all of the products- you hardly need any to do the job! It's awesome! I then rinse this off of my face and pat my face dry with a clean towel. My face is so smooth and it just feels so clean and fresh, the scent isn't over powering either. I love it!

I then follow this with the Daily Glow Moisturiser. It really does lift your complexion- a definite glow! I have also noticed that my make-up applies a lot more flawlessly as well. 

In the evening I take my make-up off and then only use the Soothing Aloe Cleanser and then use the Night Repair Cream. This is slightly thicker than the Daily Glow Moisturiser. It soaks in reasonably quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. 

This skin care routine has done wonders for my skin- In all fairness I didn't really have a routine before, I would just take my makeup off with a wipe, go to sleep and then scrub my face every other day when I woke up, I was just worried my sensitive skin would freak out even more if I kept loading products onto it- but in my experience, I had nothing to worry about, Herbalife SKIN is just packed with essential vitamins to help with skin renewal, ageing and moisture like Vitamin B3, C, E and Aloe Vera!

 There have been times where I have felt a spot forming under the skin (you know the ones that really hurt and feel like a bruise)- I carried on with my routine and the day after I noticed a difference! The troublesome area just didn't hurt anymore and then the following day there is nothing at all. 

I honestly can't rave about these products enough! I feel so much more confident with and without make-up on. I am a lot happier because of this and I would love for someone else to feel the way I am after using these products. 

The packaging is very simplistic, pure and clean- this echoing the nature of the products. All of the products I have tried have a fruity/citrusy scent- this isn't overpowering though. I think these products are definitely unisex.

If you would like any further information on the products and/or how to get you mits on some then don't hesitate to ask, I'm happy to help :) 

Contact me via email: isabelskross@hotmail.co.uk

Speak soon

Isabel x