Hello again

20 posts?! Really just 20... Scarlet for my Ma. At the time, I really thought that I had more dedication to the blog. Second time for everything I guess. Lets Fast forward 21 months, I've changed jobs and gotten older,  that's about the height of it.

My relationship with food and with myself has remained pretty consistent. Nutrition wise, I am still trying to walk the tight-rope between "healthy, healthy, healthy" and  "all of the delicious food". I have always used food to coped with stress and life, which isn't ideal when you're on the old side of 25. I'm over that, I have decided to have a more forgiving, more sustainable outlook. As far as exercise goes things have been pretty similar to my food situation, I am either completely on it or completely off it, which not really forgiving or maintainable. I am absolutely going to address this, I can easily make the time for a few quick workouts during the week.

My new job is going really well, I say new job, but I've been there for almost a year.The working world is still sometimes stressful, I think it always will be, but hey it keeps me on my toes. I usually work three weekdays and every second weekend. On weekdays I finish up at 8 pm after a long 11 hours, this was leading to me being ravenous and scoffing dinner at 9 pm. This obviously ins't ideal. So I am toying with changing up my mealtimes.

Round two has officially kicked off, I hope to blog about health and lifestyle with some beauty and fashion thrown in for good measure.

This basically sums up my life...

Gym and healthy lemon drizzle cake.

My kitchen hates when I get the urge to bake! It knows what is coming... Something that looks like this:   

I got a Mary Berry cookery book for Christmas and I've been looking for an excuse to pick out a nice recipe ever since, then I thought feck it I don't need an "excuse"! After about five seconds of page turning, this really caught my eye. http://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/baking/lemon-drizzle-traybake I love lemon drizzle but I wanted to healthify it a touch. I got myself a bag of coconut flour, woooza it was expensive, €6.50 for a small bag. I've never used it before so just totally winged it. I defo needs perfecting, but as a first attempt it was really good. - man does coconut flour need moisture! 

Ingredients: 

For the cake mix. 

1 cup of stevia sweetener

220g soft butter

100g coconut flour - next time I'll use less! 

4 medium eggs

75g self raising flour

75g whole wheat flour - next time I'll do all whole wheat

1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

Milk to make batter consistency 200ml

The rind of two lemons

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

For the drizzle: 

The juice of two lemons stevia/sugar to taste- about a dessertspoon full. 

The best bit is how easy it is, all you have to do is put all of the ingredients into a large bowl and beat until mixed well and at a cake batter consistency. 

Cook at 170 Celsius untill cooked through and golden brown. Wait for a few minutes, gently remove the tin.

When warm - not hot, make up the drizzle and spoon over. 

The result 

Cakey deliciousness! Even the Boyf thought they were good! 

This quantity made 12 small cakes and one large cake, too much for me could have done a half measure. I also made a big mess getting them out of the tin so that also needs adjusting. I have to say though at half the carbs and vertually no sugar they make a pretty tasty treat. 

Now to the gym: 

I've managed to stick to my three day a week target, and mostly I get in four days!  I did an FX cut class on Wednsday- sweet Jesus, I found out first hand how slight my muscles are! I also got my gym programme and I'm signed up for a PT session on Tuesday, so it's all go at the min. 

Next week I'm on for Monday Tuesday and Friday with a possible Wednsday or Thursday. Then I'm off to Amsterdam at the weekend, woohoo. 

Gym recap and this weeks plan

Ah , so last weeks plan was to work out Monday, Tuesday and Wednsday or Thursday and Friday. Monday was a wash, I was passing the gym at. 8.40 and I just wasn't feeling it that late at night, but I went on Tuesdays for a proper cardio and strength session, Wednsday was a lovely short swim and sauna, I also went on Friday and Saturday for similar cardio and strength work outs. 

I try to do about 30 mins cardio and 20-25 mins strength. For strength I normally pick two upper body, two lower body and two ab exercises and rotate them. 

This week is a little tricky because I'm going to visit the parentals waaaaaay down in the sticks this weekend, which rules out the gym on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sooo, my aim is gym it on Monday, Wednsday and Thursday, then I'll go for a good walk on Saturday, possibly Sunday aswell depending on the week. I'm going to see 12 years a slave on Tuesday and might go to a work meal on Thursday so I'm not 100% this week will work out as planned. 

I didn't manage to get in even one meditation session, I think I really could have used a couple though. Yesterday and today I found myself stress eating for sure, I know it's emotional when I'm eating junk food I don't even normally want! Such a waste of food to be honest, I get no enjoyment out of it and it's a waste of time. But look, it's okay it wasn't a major blow out or anything just totally unnecessary. This week again is tricky, Wednsday I'll get a quick session in and Saturday but I really think that might be it. 

I know that the relaxation is key, but I just can seem to "find the time"! 

I got my hair did, and new gym.

I got my hair did! Wohoo, I love the whole process of getting my hair done but I also feel so guilty while it's getting done. 

I went to my local Peter Mark and the staff were fabtastic, like really,really good. I had a consultation with my colourist and the colour specialist in the salon. I brought this picture for inspiration: 

 

They decided on three shades a warm almost copper brown, a golden brown and a bright blonde.

The colourist took a good 2-2.5 hours putting the highlights in. I've soooo much hair I just feel like I'm wasting everyone's time, the whole team reassured me noone minded that I was there a good 5 hours. 

After the highlights were in the hair stylist chatted to me about the cut I wanted, allowed the dye to work through, and then, I got the best head massage of all time. Sweet lord it was good! Lastly, the cut and curly blowdry, the blowdry cost no extra despite taking a lot longer than a regular blowdry. I am so pleased with the result, the brightest colour is a little too bright at the minute, so  I'm waiting untill I wash and style it myself before I photograph it! 

The whole experience felt like a real treat. 

My other recent over indulgence is membership and a quite expensive gym, but I LOVE it. They have a ladies only section it's never jam packed and a fab range of classes. As of now it's work the money although if I lose any interest at all it will be a big waste. That's a reason in itself to stay motivated. :D

Work Christmas party number two!

Second Christmas party of the season and I'm in a taxi home at half past midnight, well done me. With work in the am I really don't have a choice. 

Such a lovely night- dinner at a Japanese resteraunt in the city centre, there were about 13 of us, such a fun group. I had some chicken tapenyake, loads of veg and brown rice- nutritious and delisious. In total I estimate I drank three glasses of white wine, feeling a bit tipsy now- thank god for auto correct. 

Currently traffic is at a standstill, ugh, just need my bed, maybe water and a bit of chocolate. 

 I went pretty low key because I was leaving early. 

Top: ASOS 

Skirt: Zara 

Then I wore black ankle boots from NewLook. 

I also went to the gym today first time in about 2months, granted I was there for less than thirty mins, hey I'm easing in.

All in all it was a really good day!