Beautiful breakfasts

Breakfast has always been my favourite meal of the day, I've never understood people who can go without eating in the morning - I need food to function!

I always allow time to sit down and enjoy a good breakfast, even if it means getting up extra early. That quiet, blissful moment when nobody else is up yet allows me to wake up properly and prepare for the day ahead.

I've never been much of a savoury breakfast person and always opt for fruit, granola or pastries over eggs and cooked breakfasts, although this can sometimes lead to unnecessary amounts of sugar - the last thing you want to be fueling your body with in the morning.

Here's a few of my favourite healthy breakfast recipes that are both delicious and nutritious, and are a great way to begin your day.

Holly xx

Berrylicious porridge (serves 1)

A deliciously fruity take on standard porridge, this warming bowl of goodness will keep you full until lunch and satisfy your sweet tooth without adding any sugar.

Ingredients

50g rolled oats

250ml almond/coconut/oat/rice milk

1 handful raspberries

1 handful chopped strawberries

1 handful blueberries

Flaked almonds (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

Method
-Place the oats and milk in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes while stirring.

-Add the berries and simmer for a further minute.
-Mix in the almonds, a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve.

Superfood smoothie (serves 1)

You would never guess it contains half of your daily serving of greens, but this tasty antioxidant packed smoothie will fill you up, give you lots of energy and make your skin glow.

Ingredients

1 chopped banana

1 handful blueberries

1 handful spinach

1 handful kale

1 stalk chopped celery

10cm sliced cucumber

1-2 tbsp cashew/almond butter

250 ml almond/coconut/oat/rice milk

1-2 tbsp chia seeds

1-2 tbsp lemon juice

Method

-Combine ingredients in a blender.

-Mix in the chia seeds and serve.

Almond and coconut granola (serves 10)

The perfect weekend breakfast, this refined-sugar, wheat and gluten free granola is best enjoyed with fresh blueberries, a dollop of coconut yoghurt and the Sunday paper.

Ingredients

500g rolled oats

10g flaked almonds
1 handful raisins/sultanas

5 tbsp dessicated coconut

2 tbsp maple syrup/raw honey

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

100 ml almond milk

2-3 tbsp cinnamon 

Method
-Preheat oven to 180C.

-Place all ingredients except the dessicated coconut in a mixing bowl and combine well.

-Spread evenly on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

-Carefully turn over the mixture then bake for a further 15 minutes until the oats are golden and crunchy.

-If you prefer a more 'baked' taste leave for a little longer - just make sure it doesn't burn.

-Remove from oven and leave to cool.

-Once cool, transfer mixture into a bowl and add the dessicated coconut and a little more cinnamon to taste.

Berry yoghurt bowl

A quick,easy and satisfying breakfast loaded with berry goodness and the options of hundreds of different toppings.

Ingredients

1 handful raspberries

1 handful strawberries

1 handful blueberries

1/2 chopped banana (optional)

1-2 handfuls granola/rolled oats

150g coconut/soya yoghurt

Method

-Place the yoghurt and berries/banana in a bowl.
-Sprinkle with oats/granola and top with an optional dash of honey, maple syrup or cinnamon.

10 top budget beauty tricks

Looking and feeling good can be an expensive task and sometimes a quick trip to Boots can turn into an hour-long beauty haul resulting in your bank account being £50 down afterwards. 

However maintaining your appearance doesn’t have to break the bank and you may not realise that some of the best beauty products available are actually already in your kitchen or bathroom cupboard. 

Here’s 10 top tricks for looking great on a budget.

Lemon water

Start each day with a cup of warm water and lemon juice, and you will notice a flatter stomach within 2 weeks. Lemon alkalizes the body, kick-starts the metabolism and improves digestion which in turn reduces bloating and aids weight loss.

Baking soda

For a smile that sparkles replace your toothpaste with baking soda 2-3 times a week. The soda will reduce plaque build-up, freshen breath and help to remove stains caused by smoking and drinking tea and coffee.

Sudocrem

When you feel a spot forming apply a dab of sudocrem before bed and see it disappear overnight. The antiseptic cream is also great for treating cold sores, burns, inflammation and rashes.

Coconut oil

Apply a thick layer of coconut oil to hair at night before washing off in the morning to reveal silky soft, super smooth and nourished hair. Coconut oil also makes a fantastic makeup remover, moisturiser, cuticle oil and shaving cream.

Talcum powder

More effective than dry shampoo, use talc to refresh hair in between washes. Sprinkle a little powder on the roots and be sure to rub it in properly to avoid white hair.

Apple cider vinegar

Mix 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar with water and gently apply over the face with a cotton pad. The solution will firm and tone, reduce acne and leave a clean, clear complexion. After washing, rinse hair with cold water and 2-3 tbsp. of vinegar to create a super glossy shine.

Yoghurt

For the ultimate skin firming, anti-aging face mask mix 3-4 tbsp. of natural yoghurt with 1 tbsp. of organic honey and a squeeze of lemon juice. Leave for at least 20 minutes before washing off to reveal tighter, brighter, more radiant skin.

Castor oil

Known for its ability to promote hair growth, castor oil is the perfect remedy for thicker brows. Apply generously over eyebrows at bedtime and you should notice thicker, model-worthy brows after 1 week.

Egg whites

One of the best natural skin care remedies, egg whites effectively tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and remove under eye bags. Apply 1 beaten egg white to the under eye area and leave for 30 minutes before washing off to reveal fresher, brighter skin.

Cinnamon oil

An active ingredient in many lip plumping serums, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow and enhance lips for a fuller look. Mix 2 tbsp. of cinnamon essential oil with 1 tbsp. of brown sugar and rub in a circular motion for several minutes to create a softer, plumper pout.

Do you have any budget beauty tricks? Share them below!

Holly xx

Inecto Naturals Coconut

Inecto are a British beauty brand who focus on 100% natural beauty using only sustainably sourced ingredients and organic oils. 

All of their products are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and are never tested on animals.

Having already tried several products from the Inecto Naturals Coconut range I was extremely excited to try the new Deliciously Rich Coconut Bath and Shower Cream and Super Scrub Coconut Body Scrub.

Both products smell equally delicious and automatically transport you to an exotic destination with their sweet tropical scent.

The Super body scrub is the perfect combination of small exfoliating beads and nourishing organic coconut oil which boosts circulation and buffs away dead cells leaving skin feeling silky smooth and sporting a healthy glow.

The bath and shower cream is exactly what it says on the bottle - thick, creamy and deliciously rich. The cream forms a luxurious lather that you can feel moisturising your skin as you wash leaving it clean, soft and smelling good enough to eat.

Both products have become an essential part of my summer skincare routine and are a definite must for getting beach body ready and preparing to slip into those sexy summer shorts.

Have you tried any products from the Inecto range? Which ones are your favourite?

Holly xx


*PR Samples

Healthy Homemade Coconut Almond Granola

As someone with a major sweet tooth, granola is a firm favourite on my list of breakfast foods.

Unfortunately store-bought granola can contain huge amounts of added sugar and hidden ingredients which make the seemingly 'healthy' breakfast, anything but.

After searching the internet for a healthier alternative, I felt inspired to make my own - and was extremely impressed with the results.

The recipe can be easily modified to suit any taste with endless ingredient options to create a variety of different flavours.

Here's my super easy recipe for a deliciously healthy granola that you can enjoy for breakfast, dessert or as a guilt-free treat when you need a little pick-me-up.

Ingredients

400g rolled oats

10g flaked almonds

4 tbsp dessicated coconut

1 handful of raisins

2 tbsp runny honey

2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)

100ml almond milk

A generous sprinkle of cinnamon

Makes 500g of granola (10 portions)

Preheat oven to 180C

Place all ingredients except the dessicated coconut in a mixing bowl and combine well using a large spoon or your hands

Spread evenly on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes

Carefully turn over the mixture then bake for a further 10 minutes until the oats are golden and crunchy

If you prefer a more 'baked' taste leave for a little longer - just make sure it doesn't burn

Remove from oven and leave to cool

Once cool, transfer mixture into a bowl and add the dessicated coconut and a little more cinnamon to taste

Store in an alright container and serve with almond milk, Greek yoghurt and blueberries. Mmm.

Feel free to share your own tips and recipes and let me know how you get on!

Holly xx

Inecto Naturals Coconut range

I was recently contacted by Inecto to try out their newly-launched Naturals Coconut range.

Inecto are a British beauty brand who focus on 100% natural beauty using only sustainably sourced ingredients and organic oils. 

All of their products are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and are never tested on animals.

The Naturals Coconut range includes products for both the hair and body which aim to smooth, nourish, cleanse and add shine while indulging your senses in the delicious scent of natural coconut oil.

Very Smoothing Coconut Body Oil

Being a lover of all things coconut I couldn't wait to try out the Very Smoothing body oil. 

The fact that Inecto products are made using all natural ingredients that are not tested on animals is an added bonus - I am always keen to use products made using good quality, ethically sourced ingredients when possible.

The Very Smoothing body oil did not disappoint. Its sweet, nutty scent is utterly delicious and left my skin smelling good enough to eat! Unlike some coconut flavoured products which can smell highly synthetic and more like an air freshener than the actual fruit - this oil is the opposite and smells rich and decadent just as a coconut should.

The oil absorbed instantly and wasn't at all greasy which meant I could get dressed more or less straight away. My skin felt soft and nourished after use and was left with a healthy glow which made me look and feel instantly better.

Hello Hydration Coconut Hair Treatment

I usually wash my hair 1-2 times a week and always use an intense conditioning treatment on the ends. It gets dry and knotty very easily so I find that products specifically for dry/damaged hair work best for me.

The Hello Hydration conditioner is the perfect consistency - not too thick but not too runny - the texture is nice and creamy and a small amount goes a long way so I can imagine one bottle will last a while. 

The scent is just as delicious as the oil and made my showering time all the more enjoyable. I left the treatment on for 4 minutes before rinsing, then applied the hair oil when my hair was 70% dry before finishing with a hairdryer.

My hair had fewer tangles after using the treatment which made styling quicker and much less of a chore.

Divine Shine Coconut Hair Oil

I am always wary when using oil as my hair can get greasy easily. I started off using a small amount of the Divine Shine oil and applied it through the mid-lengths and ends of my hair when it was damp before blow drying and styling.

I tend to let my hair air dry around 70% then finish with a hair dryer and use a smoothing product to avoid it being too frizzy. This oil delivered a similar result to the OGX Keratin treatment I usually use and left my hair looking sleek and frizz free, and not weighed down or greasy.

The oil is dispersed using a small pump which makes applying very easy and prevents too much coming out at once, which can often be a problem. The scent is almost identical to the conditioning treatment and body oil, so again smells absolutely delicious -I could still smell it a few hours later.

Once dry my hair was beautifully soft and nourished, and both the oil and conditioning treatment delivered their promises and left my hair smoother, softer and more manageable after use.

I would definitely recommend both products to those with fine/normal hair like myself, who require products that nourish and de-frizz without weighing it down.


Have you tried any products from the Inecto range? Which are your favourites?

Holly xx



*PR Samples

Crushing on Coconut

I have developed a crazy new obsession with coconut.

Whether it's coconut milk with my breakfast, coconut oil to moisturise my hair and skin, coconut body spray to keep me smelling fresh or coconut water to re hydrate after a workout...

I am officially addicted.

Apart from being extremely good for you and carrying a variety of health benefits, coconut looks, smells and tastes delicious.

Here's some of my favourite coconut products...

Vita Coco Coconut Water - £3.49
KTC Coconut Oil - £2.25
Superdrug Coconut Oil - £2.29
I Love Coconut Bubble Bath and Shower Gel - £2.99


*Coconut fact The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion, regulated metabolism, improved dental health and bone strength.

Original Source Coconut Shower Gel - £2.29
OGX Nourishing Coconut Oil Hydrating Mist - £6.99
Pukka Herbs Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - £8.10
Coconut Hand Cream - £3.50


*Coconut fact Coconut helps reduce sweet cravings by improving insulin secretion and utilisation of blood glucose. The healthy fat slows down blood sugar levels and reduces cravings meaning you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy, high-sugar food.

Coconut Collaborative Yoghurt - £1.69
Alpro original Coconut Rice Milk - £1.79
Coconut Body Butter - £13
TREK Coconut Bar - 90p


*Coconut fact Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser for hair and skin. It delays the appearance of wrinkles and helps prevent premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Black Coconut Candle - £16.99
Yes To Coconut Cleansing Wipes - £4.00
Koko Dairy Free Coconut Milk - £1.39
Coconut Handwash - £1.66


*Coconut fact Coconut oil strengthens the immune system due to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It helps to fight harmful bacteria and when used as a mouth wash prevents tooth decay and promotes dental hygiene.