Homemade chocolate and peanut butter protein bars!

Hi guys!

I created these yesterday and was amazed with how they turned out! They are packed with protein and chocolate peanut flavour so are great for snacks during the day or after a workout. Plus although they are small they are super filling and heavy so a small bar fills you right up. They totally taste the same as naked bars but are way more filling and affordable!

Ingredients: 

250g of peanut butter 

3 tbsps of honey

90g of oats

4 scoops of chocolate protein powder

1tbsp of cacao powder 

2-5 tbsps of water

Method:

Firstly you’ll need to measure your peanut butter and honey and microwave in a plastic bowl for 30 seconds and mix.

Next measure all the rest of the ingredients in a bigger bowl and add the liquid mixture. Mix thoroughly and add as much water as necessary to combine the ingredients. The mix should be stiff and dough like.

Place the mixture in a square tin and push down hard with a fork. These are really filling and heavy so a thin layer is best. 

Place in fridge for half an hour and you’re good to go!

I cut them in to small bars and wrap them individually to take to the gym. 

Let me know if you try them! 

Lauren x

Healthy Granola Recipe!

Hello lovelies!

Here in England the sun is finally out! So this is definitely encouraging me to eat more healthy before all the shorts come out! 

I somehow whipped this granola up yesterday by mixing a few recipes and using what I could find. I’m sick of breakfast cereals being absolutely packed of sugar, and instead of cakes heavy snacks this is perfect for quick on the go munching. Eat with milk, yogurt on its own!

Ingredients:

Oats

Any oil you can find, I used rapeseed but coconut would taste better 

Cinnamon 

Honey

Sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Vanilla essence

I didn’t measure anything I just kinda winged it. Mix everything in a big bowl, it shouldn’t stick together but should be slightly wet.

Then spread the mixture thinly on foil or baking paper and pop in the oven on around 180 degrees for ten minutes.

Then leave to cool and pop in a sealable container!

Easy!

Let me know any other easy recipes!

Instagram: @laurenfairfax

Snapchat: @lauren.fairfax

Lauren x

5 ‘Superfoods’ that actually taste nice!

Let me start off by saying, I’m not an expert. Nor do I eat perfect every single day. But I like to think that I’m treating my body better these days and my eating habits are definitely improving! It’s all about finding foods that excite you and that you look forward to eating. And I serious can’t muster up excitement for kale. I really tried, but no. Instead I’ve listed the foods that have known health benefits that actually are yummy. At least to me!

1. Avocado 

Yeah, nothing new here. The obsession is real though. Healthy source of fat, fill you up for longer and can be worked into a variety of meals.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

I’ve only recently discovered this and I am obsessed. Splash it on salads and veg and it’s delish. It has heaps of benefits, and is perfect as it’s getting warmer. I love it on tuna salads.

3. Cacao powder 

Well this is basically just healthy chocolate powder. Enough said. Add to anything. Smoothies, protein balls, baking, oats…

4. Tuna

I know there is nothing new about tuna, but seriously I can’t get enough lately. Which is useful at uni, brain food. Anyone else feeling the obsession?

5. Sweet Potato 

This is something I always keep in the house as it comes in so useful. Chop into fries, bake as a jacket, boil into a Thai curry or roast. 

Let me know if you like this post and I’ll go on the hunt for more yummy healthy treats. Also let me know any of your faves.

Lauren x

Homemade Protein Balls!

I attempted making my own protein balls the other day and they turned out pretty good! So I thought I’d share how I made them. These are the ingredients I used but add or swap whatever you fancy:

• Dates
• Whey protein (banana)
• Cacao powder
• Mixed chopped nuts 
• Chia seeds
• Peanut butter 
• Cinnamon 
• Honey
• Chopped almonds 
• Oats
• Water

The essential ingredients are dates, soaked and chopped in a food processor or blender. And also nuts to give texture. And obviously protein powder.

The peanut butter made it for me, as did the cacao. 

After blitzing the dates and nuts together, add water until it’s mix-able. Then add your other ingredients and stir. I decided last minute to add oats to soak up some excess moisture and I’m so glad I did as it made them much more filling and substantial. Then I rolled them in chopped almonds to finish, and pop in the fridge.

I’m going to slowly invest in more health ingredients to add in such as macca powder, but just use what you have!

Let me know any other tips or ingredients to try!

Lauren x

Tips to stay on track with a healthy lifestyle

If you’re anything like me (and everyone else I’m guessing!) sticking to your healthy diet and fitness plans can time to time be hard work. There’s someone’s birthday meal, midnight cravings or McDonalds monopoly calling your name! 

I’ve decided the last few weeks I’m going to really try hard to stick to healthy eating and exercising regularly. So I’ve come up with some tips that help keep me focussed and less likely to binge…

1. Meal plan and prep

I always make a plan of what meals I’m going to have the following week, meaning I know exactly what to buy when I go shopping and don’t waste any food. Also, making meals before hand means you won’t be tempted to swap for a takeaway.

2. Don’t buy unhealthy snacks

If it’s not in the house then you won’t be tempted. Simple.

3. Make your own healthy snacks

Although there’s lots of healthy snacks you can purchase, these tend to be expensive. I make my own flapjack bites with whatever berries or nuts I can find to munch on when I’m feeling peckish.

4. Plan your exercise schedule 

Planning is everything. If I’ve written something down I’m much more likely to do it. As well as planning when, plan what kind of workout you want to do, yoga, abs run etc. Then you make sure you mix things up and don’t get bored.

5. Always keep a bottle of water with you

For some reason I find it much easier to drink water in a bottle. Weird I know. But then you can see how much you’ve drank and take it on the go.

6. Watch motivational YouTube channels 

I’ve recently found the channel SarahSays and I’m obsessed. Her lifestyle is absolute goals and after I watch her vlogs I definitely want to do a workout and grab some fruit.

7. Get some snazzy workout clothes 

Workout wear is so much better than regular clothes. Fact.

8. Get an app to track your progress

There are so many, but ones like strava to track your runs are good, especially as it posts to friends so the pressures on to do a PB.

These may be pretty obvious but they’re worth keeping in mind to keep you on track! 

Let me know any other tips you have.

Lauren x

Tips for getting “beach body” ready…


Now before I start, let me just say, if I had to run and be on a beach tomorrow that would be fine. At the end of the day who gives a shit what we look like when we’re having fun on holiday right? Everyone needs to embrace and love their own bodies. But at the same time, if your anything like me, you want to be in extra fine shape when you hit the sand. 

It’s just over a month till I jump on  a plane, and to be fair I have been exercising pretty regular over the last few months. But these last couple of weekends have been out eating loads of junk and piling on a few pounds and now I’m in panic mode. So these are a few rules I’m going to (try) stick by from now on…

1. Don’t eat after nine o’clock

I find it so hard not to snack while I’m binge watching Netflix at night. Those biscuits are calling my name. But eating late means you don’t work it off or digest it properly. So try and get your meals earlier.

2. Up your water intake.

I’ve recently invested in a filter bottle which encourages me to drink plain water instead of sugary drinks. It also makes exercise more effective and leaves you feeling full. 

3. Get into a routine.

Plan plan plan. If you plan your workouts you’re more likely to actually do them. Also making a weekly routine means you target every body area and things don’t get repetitive. Mine currently is:

Monday- Core and arms

Tiesday – Yoga 

Wednesday- Run

Thursday- Yoga

Friday- Bum and legs 

Saturday- Rest day

Sunday- Full body workout

4. Cook from scratch

‘Easy food’ is the stuff  that’s usually full of crap. Things like ready meals, takeout, Pizza, jar of sauces are all high in sugar and saturated fat. Cooking things from scratch allows you know what’s actually in your food. 

5. Walk more.

Whether it’s taking the stairs instead of the lift. Walking the long way to work. Getting off a bus stop earlier. Staying active will have a big impact and every little bit helps right?

So there are my tips for now. If you are going away have a great time! If you have any other tips let me know!

Lauren xx

What I eat in a (good) day!

Helloo guys!

Now before I get into this post let me just say… This is not how I eat every day! Most days I’m sneaking biscuits or shovelling crisps down my throat. But I’m making a conscious effort now to start eating healthier to get in shape for my holiday and so I feel better overall. 

This is what I eat on a typical healthy day in the week, when I’m cooking for just myself and I have time to cook something yummy.

Breakfast.

I love having porridge for breakfast as its quick and simple and fills you up! All you need is oats and milk which I always have anyway. Today I threw chai seeds on. These are like little magic seeds, they have so many health benefits, taste of nothing so can go on everything. Buy them in bulk from places like TK Maxx. Then I usually add a fruit like strawberries or raspberries. I had a decaf coffee with this.

Lunch.

For lunch I pretty much always have a wrap with chicken or ham, salad and avacodo. I loveeeee avacodo. And these wraps are chilli flavour which is so much more tasty. I had a cup of tea after this and snacked on some walnuts.

Dinner.

I like to cook and have substantial and hearty meals. Tonight I had chicken casserole with jacket potato and veggies. I like to try new things but also stick with easy and tasty meals like this. I’ll always have a glass of water with my meal. 

After my meals I sometimes have a flavoured green tea, as I’ve read how amazing it is for you. This one is strawberry cupcake flavour which makes the green tea easier to stomach haha!

Evening snack.

Depending on how filling my dinner was, I might have an evening snack around 8 o’clock. Recently I’ve been loving walnuts, I have a massive grab bag to snack on when I’m peckish.

Then I’ll have a cup of tea before bed and more water.

I drink water and squash constantly through the day to keep hydrated.

That’s it for today! Hope you enjoyed this post.

Like and comment below. 

Lauren xx

How to make homemade relaxing (room/yoga mat) spray.

Hi guys!

I’ve been so busy this weekend, seeing my family and celebrating a birthday in London. But just before all that madness I decided to attempt to make my own homemade spray. This was initially to clean my yoga mat, and I saw a YouTube video on it. But after doing a bit of research and experimenting, I ended up making a delicious spray that can be used for a number of things, including a room spray, fabric spray, cleaner or for aromatherapy use. I love choosing yummy scents, and they all have different benefits and make everything smell delicious.

You will need:

• Spray bottles – plastic or glass doesn’t matter, just something that will create a fine mist
• Distilled or boiled water
• Witch hazel – this is used for its cleaning properties and is so good for the skin
• Essential oils- one with antibacterial properties (tea tree or eucalyptus) and whatever scents you like

I used eucalyptus and vanilla in mine, but I’m trying to get my hands on lavender for its relaxing properties. I spritzed a bit of my lavender room spray in for now.

You need about 3/4 of water, 1/4 of witch hazel and then 5 drops of each of your oils.

Then SHAKE!

Then boom. Spray made.

For use on yoga mats, spray and wipe with a cloth.

Let me know what scents you think would work and I hope this gives you some inspiration!

Lauren xx

8 tips to getting Health and fitness motivation…

Not gunna lie, the past week I’ve pigged out. Crisps, cake, bacon. Yum. The reason was mainly down to boredom, I’ve been on my own all week and the wifi broke (the horror) so all I had to do was stuff my face. 

And then the next day you feel so guilty and unhealthy. Having that much crap didn’t suit me and I was desperately craving my avocado lunches and the smug feeling after a day of eating healthy. But that never lasts and I’m back to craving chocolate after my dinner. 

But the suns out today and in three months I’ll be heading to Vegas so now is the time I need to start working on my summer body so here’s some tips I’m gunna try and stick to to motivate myself.

1. Aim for 8 glasses of water

I’m so bad for not drinking enough during the day and then wonder why I’m tired and have headaches. There are apps that help you track how many you have, including plant nanny which grows a little plant every glass you drink. Try different drinks to encourage yourself, including fruit juices to also get some added vitamins. 

2. Read magazine articles

Women’s health or Cosmo are good ones to go to. They offer the best tips and make you actually believe you can achieve your goals. It also shows you how to mix it up a bit, different workouts and recipes.

3. Try a new workout

I don’t know about you but the thought of doing the same run or circuit every day is bleak. Trying new workouts adds some excitement to our exercise. If you haven’t tried yoga, grab a mat. If you’re new to jogging grab your shoes and get some fresh air.

4. Try one new healthy food a week

When I was younger I detested fruit and veg and all things healthy. I nearly died if a pea made its way on to my plate. But now I’m more willing to try new things. And after trying avocados I’m absolutely addicted.

5. Make a weeks plan

Don’t set your goals too high, like doing a 10k run every night isn’t going to happen. But make a realistic plan of exercise and food for the week ahead and stick to it. If you’ve wrote it down your more likely to do that workout than put it off for another time.

6. Get nice workout clothes

Ah, I wish it was socially acceptable to wear gym stuff all day everyday. It’s so comfy and flattering. When your have nice sexy gym gear your more likely to want to put it on and head to the gym to show it off. Treat yourself to Beyoncés new range in topshop or some fab printed yoga pants.

7. Make healthy food you’ll actually like

There is no point forcing rabbit food down your throat just because you think you have to. There are so many healthy but tasty recipes out there that are good for you and don’t taste of cardboard! Don’t torture yourself! 

8. Reward yourself for hard work

If you’ve stuck to your weeks plan all week, sweated your ass off in the gym and limited yourself to two kitkats, then treat yourself. Whether it be a pamper day or a takeout or a lie in. Everyone needs to relax and indulge from time to time. Knowing that pizzas waiting for you on Friday night is enough to get through those extra squats.

I hope this has given you some motivation and determination! If you’re anything like me you’re needing any encouragement you can get to prise yourself off the sofa.

Like and comment, let me know any other tips.

Lauren xx 

10 reasons why it’s fab to live alone!

Hey guys! Hope you’ve had a lovely bank holiday weekend! I went back home this weekend which I love because it means I can see my family and actually spend time with other human beings which I do rarely now I’m on my placement living on my tod. 

Not gunna lie most of the time I struggle being on my own. Mostly because my anxiety flares up and I start going crazy talking to myself. But there are some perks which you start to miss when you go back to living at home. 

1. You can spend all night having a huge Netflix binge and with no judgement.

2. You can eat what ever you like…. Ice cream for dinner anyone?

3. Your rooms can be as messy as you want…you know your phone charger is under three layers of clothes.

4. You can spent 80% of the day in pajamas.

5. “Omg I’m so busy tonight” means emerdale and kardashians is on

6. You can sit doing you makeup with nothing on and be fine with it 

7. You can leave your washing up for when you can actually be bothered… Meaning your not gunna do it after a manicure.

8. You can have a mini rave to Craig David, complete with hair brush and dancing in your pants.

9. You can do a few sit ups and “yoga breathing” and call that your workout for the week.

10. You can go that extra day without washing your hair because there’s nobody there to smell it.

I hope these make you feel better if you live on your own. And if you don’t… Look what your missing out on!

Like and comment!

Lauren xx