Gail's

On Sunday morning I met up with Gee at Dolphin Square in Pimlico for a trial of the gym. My current gym contract comes to an end this month so I am taking the opportunity to try out some new venues. We started with an Iyengar yoga class, before heading to the mats for a quick workout and ending with an amazing swim, steam and sauna. It was such a perfect way to start a Sunday morning and so worth getting up early for. 

We finished at the gym around 12pm - otherwise known as brunch time! After a quick google in the changing rooms, we decided to head to Gail's for some food. The sun was shining and it was a gorgeous walk across Pimlico, with its stunning Regency buildings and gorgeous townhouses in varying pastels.  

Oat & Berry smoothie

Mentioned in my weekly favourites a couple of weeks ago, this smoothie has fast become my go-to breakfast and I've been making it a few days a week. Great when you're running out the door to work, but still want to fit in a good breakfast, this recipe (in the loosest sense, it's very very simple) is great for on the go. 

26 Grains

The 26 Grains formula is to bring customers delicious wholesome grain based dishes or Bowls of Hygee as its termed. Hygge is a fundamental concept in Scandinavia with no direct English translation implying the notions of "coziness" or relaxing with friends and loved ones.

I've seen so many pictures of bowls of porridge over the last few months so after a Lulu Lemon yoga class one Sunday I decided to join Sarah for a visit (apparently this is termed 'basic' by Generation-Y and is a super trendy combo for a Sunday morning!!). I may or may not (definitely may) have already had breakfast so was really only accompanying but ended up persuing the menu and I was more than a little bit tempted!

Juicing

This week at home has been a healthy week after my ridiculous exam binging! Fresh juice is one of my favourite things and being at home is a great excuse to make it with mummy's ridiculous incredible juicer!! Despite being told that fresh juice actually contains more fructose than the stuff you get in a carton, I'm pretty sure that the stuff isn't really going to hurt you once in a while.

I kept it simple and went for apple, orange and strawberry. It's a great mix if you want a pure fruit juice but adding in a big lump of ginger does increase the vitamin value- I was going on taste so who cares right?!

Mmm look at that gorgeous colour...

Quick, simple and delicious. You don't even have to peal the fruit and breakfast was ready in less than 5 minutes. It's definitely washing up the machine after that's more of a challenge!!

Serve over a couple of ice cubes, in a martini glass if possible for extra glamour (my sisters trick and it really does seem to add a degree of sophistication to morning juice if that is even possible!!).

If you haven't got a juicer, grab a £5 hand held blender from your local supermarket and make smoothies instead. Frozen berries, a dollop of natural yogurt, a sprinkling of oats and a dash of carton juice and you're good to go. Sarah got us all converted to this recipie in France last summer and it really is a fab alternative to a good juice!

Enjoy! 

Freshly Squeezed

There's nothing better, or better for you than freshly squeezed juice. It uses up old fruit and is fantastic for breakfast, especially on hot summer days. The only downside really is having to wash up the juicer afterwards and that's not even that bad!

For breakfast yesterday we made freshly squeezed apple, raspberry and blueberry juice. It was a really yummy combination but any fruit works well; apple, carrot and ginger; orange, passion fruit and pineapple; banana, orange and apple; apple and beetroot - they're all great!

Ingredients:

(for 2 people)

4 apples

A handful of raspberries

A handful of blueberries

And it really is as simple as popping them all through the juicer. Serve in nice glasses over ice for ultimate refreshment!