In all honesty I ummed and ared about writing this blog post, and it was that worry and indecision that eventually swayed me to do so. When I started this blog it was with the aim to break the stigma around mental health, to have those difficult conversations in the hope they would encourage others to…
Welcome to Motherhood…Pass the Biscuit Tin.
Becoming a Mother was everything I expected and nothing like I thought it would be. Or more to the point nothing like ‘I’ thought ‘I’ would be. The fact that its taken me the best part of 7 months to even write this blog is testament to that! You go to your antenatal classes, talk…
Spooky Halloween Red Velvet Cupcakes
Thank God for baking, it’s definitely keeping me occupied during this period of time while we wait for labour to start and meet our new arrival! Not only is it something I really enjoy, it relaxes me and helps to keep my mind occupied (and stop me getting too anxious about whats to come). Also…
Triple Chocolate & Sea Salt Cookies & My Tips for Thriving, Not Just Surviving, Throughout Pregnancy.
Although being pregnant doesn’t immediately make you an expert on the subject you do amass a vast amount of new knowledge in a very short period of time. From reading books, surfing through blogs and downloading apps to chatting to other Mums and of course your own doctor and midwife appointments you can sometimes feel…
Sticky Sausage & Veg Traybake with Caramelised Onion Gravy & Cheesy Croutons.
It definitely feels like the seasons have changed here, in the blink of an eye it seems that summer has switched to autumn. Although I remain hopeful we’ll be blessed with a surge of sunshine, a late September Indian summer, I am making the most of the autumnal evenings now, in the kitchen, with some…
Work-Life Balance & One-Pan Sausage Pasta Bake
It’s been a really busy few months, hence the lack of blogging, but I’m finally back with a post! Unfortunately when life gets a little chaotic the things you do just for enjoyment, like writing my blog, have to take back seat. With so many demands in life it’s important to try not to overload…
Anxiety Triggers & Oreo Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Although thanks to lots of positive lifestyle changes my anxiety is kept to a minimum now, I do still have flair ups and suffer with the occasional anxiety attack. You have to accept this, recognise the signs and try to manage them as best as you can, unfortunately there is no cure for anxiety and…
Vegan (Dairy-free) Banana, Chai & & Oat Muffins with Crunchy Granola Topping.
If you’re a fan of banana bread then you’ll love these delicious oaty, banana muffins. The invention of the vegan friendly version of these muffins came about due to a festival that I am currently catering at called Wise Words festival. I’d been selling wood-fired pizza and a selection of homemade cakes including my regular…
Sticky Miso Cod with Fresh Mango & Chilli Salsa
As I mentioned in my last post I have some exciting news that I’m thrilled to share with you all. Some of you might have guessed already but for those of you that haven’t i’m delighted to say (dramatic pause) I’m pregnant! This was a wonderful but unexpected surprise, we had planned on trying for…
Quitting Drinking- an Update & Chicken, Roasted Tomato & Halloumi Salad with Buttermilk & Chive Dressing.
I was reflecting with my husband in the car yesterday on how it’s been over 13 weeks since I stopped drinking alcohol. While there has been a very exciting, yet unexpected, incentive to compel me to continue along the way (more about this in my next blog) I know I would have carried on regardless,…
Chicken Fajitas with Homemade Guacamole & Salsa
This has to be one of my all time favourite meals, despite the fact that I’ve been cooking it for years, it never gets old. It’s a real crowd pleaser and easy to scale up so it’s ideal if you’ve got friends coming round, I think help-yourself sharing food is brilliant when entertaining, it’s more…
Simple Sourdough Bread, a Beginners Guide
When it comes to sourdough it’s really easy to become overwhelmed with the various different techniques, equipment, time taken and general language used. This may leave you running for the hills instead of reaching for your bag of flour and I think that’s a real shame. I believe every family should be able to produce…
Beef Bolognese Soup
This recipe really does cover all bases. It’s packed with nutrients and vitamins from all the fresh vegetables, lots of lean protein from the beef, carbs from wholegrain pasta and a dose of good fats from the cheese & coconut oil. According to mentalhealth.org A balanced mood and feelings of wellbeing can be protected by…
Chewy Oat & Seed Granola Bars -Gluten & Refined Sugar Free!
I love chewy, oaty granola bars. I love the flavours, the textures, taste and the convenience but what I don’t love is the mile long ingredients list! I mean what the hell are mixed Tocopherols? Who wants to eat Maltodextrin or Palm Kernel Oil- frankly it makes a scary read, especially when these are considered…
Lean Turkey Burgers with Baked Salt & Vinegar Chips & Sriracha Slaw
Paying attention to nutrition and healthy eating definitely doesn’t mean you have to go without, in fact quite the opposite. There’s a great quote on Instgram doing the rounds at the moment that perfectly encapsulates this for me: By cooking from scratch and making educated food choices you can still enjoy all your favourite foods…
No Oven…No Problem, Simple Student Recipes
The inspiration behind this blog comes from my sister who is in her first year at University. Last week I received a WhatsApp: …..I was wondering if you had some time if you could think of any recipes someone could make with only a toaster, microwave, kettle and a toastie maker? We have very limited…
Chocolate & Oreo Drippy Cake
If you like Oreos or know someone who does then this is the cake for you. Rich chocolate sponge surrounded by Oreo buttercream, topped with chocolate ganache, more buttercream and whole Oreo cookies – what’s not to like?? It makes a show stopping centerpiece for any Birthday party table! It may look a little overwhelming…
Roasted & Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
Here’s another recipe to help you hit your 5-a-day. This recipe makes a huge batch of soup making it great for feeding a crowd or what I like to do is stock up on healthy lunches for during the week, it means I can eat well even when I’m really busy. It will happily keep…
Quitting Alcohol & Super Banana Berry Smoothie Recipe
So I finally decided to kick the drink! I don’t like to use the term ‘give up’ as I firmly believe that I’m doing quite the opposite. Giving up insinuates going without and by quitting alcohol I won’t be missing out, instead think my life is going to be so much better! Alcohol isn’t good…
Christmas Canapés for Easy Entertaining
The trick for winning at entertaining during the festive season is by arming yourself with an arsenal of recipes that you can make ahead. You don’t want to be chained to the stove while your family and friends are sipping all the bubbly without you. It’s important to strike a balance between impressing your guests…
My (Skinnier) Pad Thai
I feel I need to start by saying this recipe is by no means authentic. I probably shouldn’t even be calling it a Pad Thai but hey that’s the beauty of freedom of speech. It is a great, tasty way to pack a lot of vegetables and lean protein into your midweek meals. In Asia…
Mini Christmas Cakes with Spiced Rum & Almond Buttercream
If your family and friends are anything like mine I’m sure you’ll find that Christmas cake tends to divide opinion. For some it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it whereas others wouldn’t touch it with a tinsel clad barge pole. The lack of takers means that often years will go by without me making a…
Chocolate, Salted Caramel & Toasted Marshmallow ‘Bonfire’ Cupcakes
While I’m definitely a summer girl through and through there’s still something quite magical to me about the autumn. From the end of summer until Christmas day it’s like the weekend of winter, the best bit. There’s excitement in the air, cosy nights in are relished and layering up in woollen jumpers and scarfs is…
Homemade Alphabetti Spaghetti & Alphabet Soup
I’ve always loved spaghetti hoops, I developed a strong dislike for baked beans during my primary school days, where eating everything served to you each lunch time was not a choice, neither was packed lunch. The force-feeding put me off them entirely and so the hoops in a can became my go-to toast topper. Whenever I was feeling slightly…
One-Pan Pasta with Mediterranean Vegetables
Today is World Mental Health day and while it might seem like recently everyday of the week is some kind of bizarre national day (from emojis to Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk Day?! – 11th Feb in case you were wondering) this one is actually really important! The underlying vision of the Mental Health Foundation,…
No Knead Seeded Spelt Bread
To be a successful baker we must be mindful, fully focused on the task in hand, ignoring all other distractions. We need to approach the recipe with a ‘beginners mind’ without assuming things will go totally to plan. Many variables can affect the outcome of a recipe, you may be using a new oven therefore…
Tear & Share Garlic & Herb Loaf
It’s bread week on the Great British Bake Off – which just so happens to be my favourite week. In a double twist of fate the stars have aligned for me this week as my husband who won’t watch the bake off, also happens to be out for the evening, so I’ll actually get to…
Bacon, Sausage & Egg Breakfast Rolls
Made with only a handful of ingredients these delicious breakfast rolls are sure to become your new favourite brunch food! I first made these rolls a couple of years ago, I’d been to a restaurant who had the most delicious bread rolls studded with crispy bacon and I’d fallen in love at first bite. I’d…
Roasted Tomato & Basil Soup
You may think it’s strange for me to be posting a recipe for tomato soup in the midst of the current heat wave but the truth is I really love soup! No matter the weather, even when it’s boiling hot, I can still manage a steaming bowl of soup for lunch. Plus now is actually the…
Spiced Indian Chicken & Rainbow Veg Traybake with Creamy Raita
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll have noticed that I’m rather partial to this traybake style of cooking, especially during the week. Not only does cooking everything together on one tray really cut down on the washing up (of which i’m not a fan, who is) but I love that all the vegetables really…
Big Batch Italian Vegetable & Turkey Stew
Here’s another of my ‘Good Mood Food’ recipes to help you hit your 5-a-day. This recipe makes a big old batch of stew that actually gets tastier as the week commences, it will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days and can be frozen too so it’s a brilliant recipe to keep you in lunches…
‘Eton Mess’ Naked Cake
I don’tend to do much baking on a Monday. Monday’s for me are a day to catch up; I’ve normally spent the weekend working hard at events with my pizza company so household duties tend to take second place. Cleaning, washing, ironing, general admin and emails usually fill the whole day (I know, the excitement 😉 ) however…
Salmon, Crayfish & Avocado Salad with Mango & Basil Dressing
So it appears we may finally be having a summer here in the UK, although it’s probably clouding over as I type. Not only is this new tropical climate helping to boost peoples moods but it also means we can all plan BBQ’s, picnics and trips to the beach. Sunshine and fresh air have numerous…
Red Velvet & Vanilla Baked Cheesecake Wedding Cake
Lots of people told me I was crazy for making my own wedding cake…but then again lots of people say lots of things, so I ignored them and did it anyway! The reason it was so important to me was not because I am a control freak who wanted to take over everything (although I…
Sausage, Bacon & Duck Egg Breakfast Muffins
Breakfast is such a great meal, one that can be enjoyed safe in the knowledge that you still have two more meals to look forward to. No matter what you choose you’ll probably still be within your recommended calorie intake for the day, it really is the meal that holds the most potential. Whether you…
‘Feel Good’ Old Fashioned Chicken Soup
As soon as I woke up the other day I knew something wasn’t right. Usually I am enthusiastic to begin the day but my limbs had turned to concrete and It was hard to peel myself off the mattress. I felt incredibly emotional, close to tears over breakfast and the familiar feeling of dread was…
Fresh Strawberry & Vanilla Custard Tart
With June almost on our doorsteps now’s the perfect time to make use of the delicious English strawberries that are filling the farm shops and greengrocers. This tart makes the most of the simple but wonderful flavours that I love about British summertime. Who could resist the combination of juicy strawberries with creamy vanilla custard,…
Mexican Turkey Salad with Avocado, Beans & Chipotle Dressing
Food has such a big impact on how we feel both mentally and physically, this is why I want to share as many of my ‘good mood food’ recipes as I can. Recipes that not only taste amazing but are packed with feel good ingredients that have a positive impact on our minds and bodies….
Homemade Reduced Sugar Granola
This is my simple recipe for a delicious reduced sugar granola. You’ve heard me talk about the benefits of a good breakfast before and I really can’t repeat it enough. Often the foods that are most convenient are the ones that are full of additives, sugar and preservatives. We don’t want those in our bodies…
Summer Fruit Baked Cheesecake Slice
A baked cheesecake is my go to dessert when I’m entertaining. Not only does it taste and look amazing but it really is foolproof as well. It’s really quick to make and can be baked in advance taking all the stress away on the day. You can top this with whatever takes your fancy; I…
Grilled Vegetable, Beef & Mozzarella Bake
This post follows on from my recipe for slow cooked beef and vegetable ragu. It’s another delicious way to serve the ragu with even more lovely vegetables! It’s reminiscent of a lasagne al forno but it’s much lighter without the béchamel and layers of pasta. A healthier take on the dish that still feels quite…
Almond Bakewell Emoji Cupcakes
When you suffer with anxiety it can feel like you have too many emotions, you experience things a lot more deeply than other people do. Feelings of embarrassment stay with you for hours and hours, your feelings are easily hurt and negative comments will go round in your mind for days after they were hastily…
Homemade Burgers & Garlic Butter Buns
Burgers are great when feeding a crowd, you can ask people to customise their burgers as they please, try adding extras like crispy bacon, sliced avocado, sautéed mushrooms or a fried egg. It’s a really fun recipe for a Friday or Saturday night, you can prep all the toppings and the patties then cook to…
Slow-Cooked Beef & Vegetable Ragu
Here’s another recipe to help you hit your 5-a-day. If you can get used to incorporating as many veggies as possible into your meals then you’ll be well on the way to a healthier diet. Most importantly you’ll be helping your body to stay at peak condition and in turn keeping anxiety as well as…
Salty & Sweet Millionaires Rocky Road
This recipe is definitely not for the faint hearted, in fact It’s best not to even think about the calorie content! You’ll only be able to manage a small square anyway leaving you with the lovely job of making 15 other people happy with a slice too! It’s a lot of fun to make and…
Sweet Potato Fish Pie
I love fish pie; to me it’s the ultimate in comfort food. Creamy mashed potatoes and delicate flaking fish scented with fresh dill and just a hint of lemon, all baked until golden, crunchy and molten hot. My tongue has had its fair share of fish pie induced burns, I can never wait until it’s…
Chicken, Chorizo & Roasted Vegetable Tray Bake
I’m sharing this recipe for a few reasons, the first is the taste – it really is lovely – the combination of the smoky and sweet chorizo alongside the fresh herbs and creamy, melting mozzarella is divine. The vegetables really soak up all of the delicious flavours; the benefits of cooking all in one pan….
Strawberry & Vanilla Pop-Tarts
Food can make us feel nostalgic for certain periods in our life, a smell or taste can bring back vivid memories or evoke feelings from days gone by. Our perception of events can alter dramatically over time. We may recall a holiday as being the best week of our life, despite our suitcase not turning…
Berry, Coconut & Chia Oat Muffins
Not only are these muffins a fun, relaxing bake to make they’re packed full of lots of super healthy ingredients too! It’s a double win when you can combine the pleasure of baking with something that’s good for you. When you mix the batter it will probably remind you of really thick porridge so it’s…
bakingyoubetter 