FITNESS: Day 1 of my journey

Day 1

I started my fitness journey before the New Year. I started my first day on 30th December 2016.

As I mentioned in my previous post I like to see the New Year as a great time to start something new. However, I was far too desperate to wait!! 

8:30am I was dressed and raring to go! Before I left I took the Strippd Trim and Tone tablets and the Strippd Diet Multivitamins. I wanted to start my fitness journey the right way and that is how I best saw fit. 

I walked into the gym and it was empty - everyone was either back to work or taking 'time off' from exercise due to the festive period. I love when a gym is empty because I can be quite self conscious. My favourite piece of equipment in the gym is the x-trainer. I set myself a goal and try to up it each time. I decided that 1.4km would be a great starting goal and that took me 28 minutes to complete. I burnt 225 calories and felt fantastic for it.

Oh, hey! ;) 

I then came home and had my Strippd Vegan Chocolate Protein shake. I mix it with 250ml of coconut milk and it tastes delicious! It can be quite a challenge finding protein that is suitable for lactose intolerant individuals. 

Going to the gym early in the morning gives me energy for the rest of the day and always makes me happy afterwards due to the endorphins!

I will be incorporating more activities (cardio and weights) as the year goes on and I cannot wait to continue seriously and see some fab results! Woo!!

What is your favourite thing to do at the gym??

Until next time, xo.

**Disclaimer- This post is NOT sponsored and all products were purchased with my own money.**

TRAVEL: My Holiday Series - Day 1

The first day of a holiday is always exciting yet tiring. You're excited to be in a different country and explore, but you are so tired from all the travelling; no matter how far away you go.

My journey was only an hour but I was awake from 4am to get ready for the airport. When we arrived at the airport we checked in and went through security; then we went to find food! Being lactose intolerant I am limited to what I can eat from food outlets as most places have food items that contain dairy. However, my saving grace comes in the form of Pret a Manger. My boyfriend found a bacon and egg baguette that didn't have any milk or butter in! 

The flight itself was interesting. We had to switch planes because the original plane had problems with the brakes - eek! I was glad to switch but it meant that we had an hour delay already! Our landing wasn't very smooth either and as we hit the runway many passengers let out a little scream.

When we arrived at my Grandad's house we had something to eat and a little chat before heading to the supermarket to stock up on food for the week. We decided that although we were on holiday we would still try and eat healthy and we would prepare all our meals from scratch.

Being in France we had to celebrate our arrival by opening a bottle of champagne and having an aperitif. This was lovely because we could relax and have a chitchat altogether before sitting down for dinner.

Day 1 was more of a relaxing day than an exploration one. But we did have time to plan the rest of the days which was great because then we knew what we could and couldn't fit in.

I hope you enjoy the next few days of the Holiday Series!

Until next time, xo.

RECIPE: Lemon Drizzle Cake

This is such a delicious cake and it's so simple to make!

Ingredients:

• 225g unsalted butter 
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 225g self-raising flour 
• 1 lemon; zested

For the drizzle: 

• 85g caster sugar
• 1 1/2 juiced lemons

How to make the cake: 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degress. (Fan - Oven) 
2. Mix together the sugar, butter and eggs (one at a time). 
3. Sift in the flour and the zested lemon until it's all well combined.
4. Line a loaf tin with greasproof paper and pour the mixture in.
5. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes.
6. Whilst the cake is cooling, mix together the lemon juice and caster sugar to make the drizzle. 
7.  Prick the warm cake with a skewer or fork and pour the drizzle over the cake.
8. Leave the cake in the tin until cool.
9. Eat and enjoy!! xo

I hope you have fun making the cake and eating the cake! 

Until next time, xo.

RECIPE: Homemade Chocolate filled Palmiers

Hi everyone!

Everyone loves chocolate, right? So what a better treat than to make your own chocolate filled palmiers?
You can make them for any occasion. A picnic, a birthday, a dinner party or just as a treat in the house!
Not only do they taste delicious but they are so easy to make and people will think you've bought them from a patisserie!

You will need: 

• Greaseproof paper
• A baking tray
• Chocolate Spread
• Ready rolled puff pastry (Or you can make your own)
• Shredded coconut pieces

Method: 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees (fan).
2. Roll out your puff pastry into a rectangle shape. The longer you make it, the more you can make and the wider you have your pastry will determine the size. 
3. Spread the chocolate all over one side of the pastry. Use as much or as little as you want! 
4. Roll one side until the you reach the middle of the pastry. Then do the exact same with the other side. (They will look like little hearts) 
5. Cover up the pastry with cling film/ greaseproof paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes - 1 hour. 
6. Remove from the freezer and cut each palmier 1/2 cm thick.
7. Place each palmier onto the greaseproof paper on the baking tray, ensuring you leave space around each one as they do expand. 
8. Place into the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. 
9. Sprinkle with shredded coconut.
10. Enjoy!!! :) 

(Before baking - I should have spaced them out more. They expanded a lot!)

I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did; and enjoy eating them too!! 

Until next time, xo