Friday 31 October 2014

Little floral dress

I have a wedding coming up at the end of the month, it's a while since I've been to a wedding so I really want to look and feel my best.

As I mentioned in a previous post I snapped up this fab Miss Selfridge dress for just £8, it's a little different to my usual style so I  looking forward to wearing it!

Arms, legs and back will be on show so I will be sure not to slack in my training.
(I intend to do a separate post about my training regime in the near future)
















I am currently in full on training mode so hopefully by the end of November I'll be ready to rock this little number!

So now I just need to decide what is going to go with it.......

I am still a bit obsessed with Barry M Gelly nail polish and think this shade which I bought a little while ago will go perfectly:





 My black River Island blazer will be the perfect cover up, along with these amazing New Look Heels which I have just ordered online!!


 

Now I've just go to decide on make up and jewellery, have you any recommendations?

xXx


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday 29 October 2014

Whey hey!!

I am a big fan of protein shakes after my workout to re-fuel without filling up too much.
I have tried many varieties over the years but I think I have now found a firm favourite from a company called PhD.

This is the PhD 'premium promise':
PhD Nutrition deliver innovative and inspirational sports nutrition products that not only taste great, but deliver serious results. Whether you are a world class athlete, or just beginning in the gym, PhD believe that your requirements are just as important as each others. Internationally recognized for absolute quality and innovation, PhD Nutrition work with a number of selected brand ambassadors and sports teams, chosen for their ideals, ethics and ambition to promote quality PhD sports nutrition.

The product I have fallen in love with is called Diet Whey


I chose the strawberry delight flavour to start with and have stuck with this as it is so delicious, I do plan to try the other flavours in future.
I tend to use this shake after a workout and I mix one scoop with 1% fat milk as I prefer this to water. Having said that this is one of the few shakes I've had with water that is drinkable. I often add a banana, some strawberries or some frozen fruit to the mix too.

I have noticed a huge difference since I started using this product, especially in my arms, shoulders, back and abs. I find that a once scoop shake keeps me feeling full for a good few hours.
I use a stick blender when making my shake to make sure I achieve the best consistency possible.



This product contains 34g of protein per 50g which is the highest I have found in a diet whey. Is also the lowest calorie formula I have come across too.


PhD suggest that Diet Whey is ideal for
  • Men and women following a weight management nutritional plan.
  • Slimmers and gym goers looking to lose body fat and control calorie intake.
  • Anyone seeking a high protein dietary supplement.
  • Anyone looking to replace a meal with a high protein, low sugar shake.
  •  

    So, what's in there??

    Whey Protein: Derived from milk and high in amino acids such as Cysteine and Glutamine, Whey Protein Concentrate is typically comprised of various protein fractions (such as Beta Lactoglobulin) that are being regularly researched and studied for their potential benefits to Health and well being.

    Soya Protein: Isolated from the Soy Bean, Soya Protein Isolate is extremely high in protein when in raw format (up to 90%), low fat, low carbohydrate and becoming a staple and better understood form of high quality protein for health and weight control. Soybeans also contain biologically active or metabolic proteins, such as enzymes, trypsin inhibitors, hemagglutinins, and cysteine proteases very similar to papain.

    Milk Protein: Typically high in the important Branched Chain Amino Acids
     
    Diet Whey also contains other added ingredients such as:

    CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid): CLA is a Linoleic fatty acid found traditionally in dairy and fish and has long been used in weight management formulas as an addition, or stand-alone ingredient.

    L-Carnitine: In living cells, Carnitine is required for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria during the breakdown of lipids (fats) for the generation of metabolic energy.

    Green Tea Extract: Green tea extract is a herbal derivative from green tea leaves. Green tea extract contains Catechins or Green Tea Catechins, which have been used by health conscious individuals for many years for it’s potential antioxidant effect.

    Flaxseed: Flax seeds contain high levels of dietary fibre as well as lignans, an abundance of micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that flax seeds may lower cholesterol levels.
     
    I really can't recommend this product enough, having tried pretty much every diet shake on the market I can safely say this is the best yet. PhD offer sample sizes too which is great as it means you don't end up stuck with 2kg of something you won't use. Try it, you wont regret it!
     
    Another great thing about this product is you can cook with it and it adds an amazing flavour!
     
    Strawberry and choc chip oatmeal protein muffins
    Serving Size: 6
     
    Ingredients:
     
    1 cup oats
    1/4 cup chocolate chips
    1/2 tsp baking soda
    1/8 tsp all spice
    1/8 tsp nutmeg
    2 tsp cinnamon
    6-8 fresh strawberries
    2 scoops strawberry delight PhD Diet Whey
    1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
     
    Directions:
     
    Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl
    Blend strawberries into the yogurt and add to the dry ingredients
    Mix well
    Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and add mixture
    Add a slice of strawberry for decoration
    Bake for 25-30 mins at 200 degrees
    Enjoy!!
     

    Jo
    xXx



    *I am buying Diet Whey myself and this post is not sponsored in any way.

     

    Tuesday 28 October 2014

    Spectacular Sunderland

    Sunderland is a city which lies at the heart of the City of Sunderland metropolitan borough, a part of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. It is situated at the mouth of the River Wear.

    When I was growing up, my parents took me to the Sunderland Illuminations every year, the illuminations stopped in the 1990's much to many a small child's dismay (me included!)

    The illuminations made a comeback in 2013 but unfortunately I didn't get to visit, so when I heard they were back for 2014 with an Alice in Wonderland theme, I couldn't wait to go.
    My best friend and I visited last Saturday and had a wonderful time.

    You can find more information on the illuminations here
    Sunderland Illuminations return - Have fab memories of this as a child. Hope over the years it can grow and make a good come back!
    Before our visit to the illuminations (we had to wait until it was dark) we decided to have a look around Sunderland as neither of us had been for some time. We started with a bit of shopping in The Bridges shopping centre which has improved dramatically since the last time I was there and has a really good range of shops now including the following:
     
     
    There is also a large Debenhams to where I managed to snap up this fabulous dress reduced from £39.00 to £8.00 in the Miss Selfridge concession. Perfect for the wedding I will be attending soon.
     
     


     

    As well as the above there are many independent and speciality shops, cafes, bars, the Empire theatre, the Sunderland museum and winter gardens and a cinema complex in Sunderland, all within easy walking distance of the centre of town.
     
    Sunderland Empire theatre
    The Empire Theatre, Sunderland
    Sunderland Museum. The Winter Gardens. by CWhatPhotos, via FlickrInside the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
     
    We had dinner in a fabulous restaurant called Louie Louie which is an all you can eat buffet. We had never heard of it before but had a 2 for 1 voucher from the local paper and decided to give it a whirl, and boy were we glad we did!
     
    I believe this place has recently been re-branded from Mr. Hau's to Louie Louie, and it had received some critical reviews in the past. We were welcomed in quickly and seated in a quiet spot, the restaurant itself is very spacious and the décor is good. The selection of foods was excellent, predominantly Chinese but also Indian, Japanese and English. There is also an are where you are able to chose from fresh ingredients and watch the chefs cook something for you. All of the food I tried was tasty, I am a vegetarian and managed to find more than enough choice. Some of the food has been out perhaps a little longer than is desirable e.g. the naan breads but we did eat at 5pm which is the change over time between lunch and dinner. The desert section was excellent with fresh fruit, cakes, Eaton mess, an ice cream bar and a chocolate fountain. With regards to drinks we were very surprised to find out that soft drinks were included in the price as were tea and coffee which is very unusual.  I would certainly visit again.
     
    You can find out more about Sunderland here. If you are planning a visit to Sunderland or the North East, I am more than happy to advise you :)
     
    xXx
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Friday 24 October 2014

    Durham Dreams.......

    County Durham is my home town, and I love it here. Have you ever been? If not why not?
    Arrange a visit pronto!
    Durham has something for everyone. Here are some of the best bits in pictures:

    Durham Cathedral, County Durham, England
    Sunset in Durham England behind the Cathedral

    Durham Cathedral,  ca. 11th - 13th C
    Durham Castle, England
    Durham, County Durham, England.
    The impressive Durham Cathedral, seen from the river Wear.
    Durham City Centre

    Lord Londonderry, Market Place, Durham

    Durham, River Wear, England. Travel
    Durham, England
    River Wear- Durham, England
    Durham University, England

    Galilee Chapel, Durham Cathedral, UK dates from Anglo Saxon times
    Cloisters at Durham Cathedral
    Durham castle








    Wednesday 22 October 2014

    Whatever the weather.....

    For some reason this lunchtime I started thinking about the weather.

    From a fleeting thought I was distracted by this for a further 15 minutes. I was thinking about all of the different types of weather we experience as humans, and the effects it can have on us environmentally, physically and mentally. I finally drew the conclusion that weather is a truly awesome thing!

    Lightning Strike - Sydney Thunderstorm 8th April 2012 By KAM=//=DHATT via Flickr

    Hailstones

    I don't know where this is... but it's by Frans Peter Verheyen. And all I know is it's gorgeous. I love. love. love rain. And walking in the rain. :)
    The Bible says that God realized that man would remain sinful, so he decided never to curse the ground for man’s sake, and never to smite every living thing again as he had done with the flood. So God made a promise to never destroy the earth by a flood again. When God makes a promise, he keeps it. As a sign of his promise, he placed the rainbow in the sky whenever it rained.  AMEN!
    Walk together in a winter wonderland
    The oceans takes a beating every day from the worst storms possible yet once they're over it stills itself to a calming halt..
    Delightful Cloud Patterns in the Sky
    where the stream meets the sea, where the sun sets in hues of orange and gold, there is where I'll be.
    ✯ Sunset in the tropics. This isn't Acapulco but is the sort of rosy sunset that Emilia watches in DIABLO NIGHTS, the 3rd Emilia Cruz mystery featuring the first and only female police detective in Acapulco
    Tranquility Bay, Fitzroy Island, Queensland, Australia
    (100+) tropical blog | Tumblr
    Blowing in the wind!The Head of a Dandelion-------- Come my love, remember the days when wishes were real and their granting relied on simply blowing away the seeds off the head of dandelions. ------------poem by Lisa Denise Mason


    Tuesday 21 October 2014

    Tea and Cake

    I don't know about you but I think tea and cake is one of the nicest things in the world.

    I would struggle to name my favourite cake, I have so many..... what's your favourite?
    It really amazes me how many different types of cake there are, and types of tea come to mention it, one of my favourite teas of all time is Rington's green tea with citrus.

    There's something about having a great wedge of cake with a hot cup of tea that feels truly indulgent.

    xXx
    A3 Art Print  'there's always time for tea and by stephsayshello
    Black Tea Cake with Honey Buttercream
    Tea and Cake   by vintageandcake.co.uk
    I pinned this because it looks like a yummy recipe, but also because i love this picture!  Lemon Tea Cake – Afternoon D Lite

    Tea and Marble Cake #photography
    Like the presentation on this one - thinking now of serving cake or slices in old champagne coupes.
    Tea and Cake <3 The Best!
    Cute almond cakes
    A Little Loveliness: Special Delivery Tea Party. I don't know how they made that little envelope, but I want one.
    “Drinking Three Cups of Tea a Day May Help Lower Blood Pressure” - LA Times  I hope this is true!

    a cup of tea and a good book solves everything

    Ana Rosa

    COLORS!
    Swirling leaves in the autumn breeze  As summer's laughter takes her leave  Banish the thought of cold and freeze  Refuge in a cup of tea    ~
    Best Chocolate Cake Recipe ~ This Chocolate Cake is seriously the best, So moist and chocolatey... it should be illegal.

    OOoh :)) Niiice :]
    Looking at the ingredients list for the Mint Chocolate Chip buttercream almost gave me artherosclerosis reading it, but maybe for a special occasion!
    Cooking The Amazing: CARROT CAKE This is the best Carrot cake recipe I have ever made!  The cake lasts maybe 2 DAYS at best in my house.


    Moist Christmas Fruit Cake: Fruit cake is a traditional British Christmas cake that is full of fruits and nuts and laced with alcohol, usually brandy.  This gives the fruit cake a subtle brandy flavor and a moist texture, plus it also allows the fruit cake to be stored fora long time. #cake #fruit #christmas
    Do You Know Your Afternoon Tea History?