Festive feasting and running with Rudolph

Okay, so I didn't exactly go running with Rudolph - what can I say I am a sucker for alliteration - but I did go running on Christmas day.

So what? I had this to burn off....

I also had a shiny new high vis jacket I just had to try out, not that it was needed in the blinding, winter sun. Yep it was one of those glorious days today in ye ole' Yorkshire.

All I wanted for Christmas (sad I know) was a high vis jacket, now the nights come early and it is dark for what seems like 24 hours of the day, I have been putting my life on the line to pound the pavements.

Yes, high vis and sunglasses combination, and what?!

I have been sticking to the streets to run on an evening purely because the tracks are too scary in the dark! Haha.
But most of my running clothes and jackets are black, some maybe with a splash of bright colour but not enough to ensure my safety. Now I am more eager to get out and run a couple of times per week.
I haven't run to often lately, I have been a bit under the weather but I will not let it beat me!
So I slipped on my trainers and off I went this morning to burn up an appetite ready for my Christmas dinner.

What a bright and beautiful run 

And what a great, refreshing run it was. I felt so much better for it and I love taking in the fresh air of the Yorkshire countryside. And as we all know, this is one of my most favourite routes.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and good running!

Feeling better with food

I am one of those people that feels really at home in the kitchen. 

If I am down, I cook.

If I am happy, I cook.

If I am celebrating, I cook.

If I am commiserating, I cook.

If I am ill, I cook.

Which is what I am right now - ill. Unfortunately I am having some severe stomach issues that are leaving me with no appetite one minute, to starving from lack of food the next. And once I indulge, welcoming the urge to eat which has been rare, I feel sick and writhe in agony.

So I decided to cheer myself up by recipe testing.

I had a go at making homemade, wheat and rye bread, chicken, vegetable and pearl barely soup and cinamonutty granola.

And am I pleased with my self or what?!

The granola is delicious and goes so well on top of yogurt. The soup is also great, made with homemade chicken stock really makes all the difference, and the different textures make it a pleasure to eat. And what more could you ask for when you're poorly than homemade chicken soup.
The rye bread is nice but it is a bit dense and heavy - but I guess rye bread does tend to be like that. One thick slice, toasted has been tasty and filling to dip in the soup, so I will definitely make it again - maybe tweaking it slightly each time.

To find out more watch out on my recipes page where I will shortly upload the method. 

Eating like a queen

So, after eating a large quantity of sugary foods (yes I have slipped back again) I decided to crank out two of my top healthy dinners.

Minted pesto courgette spaghetti and crunchy Greek style salad with chickpeas.

The salad is great for a lunch or accompanied by some form of protein for tea.

Crunchy Greek salad

Courgette spaghetti 

I have also been told I should do more food blogs and upload my recipes more so I will.

My main aim is to create healthy, fast and tasty food and I personally think these two are up there with my favorite recipes.

They are crisp, yummy and very quick to make. They are both refreshing in their own way too.

They are filling and keep me going for hours.
Try them yourself by checking out my Recipes for success page